The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of the Interior and Community of Germany Mahmut Ozdemir (L) and FISU Senior Executive Committee Member Verena Burk hold the flag at the FISU flag handover ceremony during the closing ceremony of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, Aug 8, 2023. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

The closing ceremony of the Chengdu FISU World University Games on the night of Aug 8 was held not in a stadium, but in a park.

Resembling a jubilant carnival, the grand finale overflowed with heartfelt farewells and radiant optimism.

Held in the Chengdu Open Air Music Park, the event had people and their stories as its focus.

"We have transformed the entire music park into a warm and inviting campfire setting," said Wei Sijia, executive chief director of the closing ceremony.

The ceremony used smartphones as its central element, with a "livestreamer" who broadcast the event and interacted with the audience online.

"Since it's an event for the youth, the elements of expression must align with the lives of young people," Wei explained.