On December 30, the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (SICCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences, held its 2026 New Year's Gala themed "A Radiant New Journey, A Song-Like Path at SICCAS." Attendees included Director Su Liangbi, Deputy Directors Shi Xun and Yan Jina, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission Zhou Tianhua, Party Committee Member, Member of the Director's Office, Director of the Party Committee Office, and Director of the Institute Office Mao Chaoliang, Member of the Director's Office, Director of the Science and Technology Development Department, and Director of the Development and Planning Office Liu Jun, Party Committee Member and Director of the Artificial Crystal Research Center Liu Xuechao, Party Committee Member and Director of the Science and Technology Industry Office Han Jinduo, Researcher Wen Zhaoyin from the Energy Materials Research Center, Director Yu Yun of the Special Inorganic Coatings Research Center, Director Zeng Yi of the Inorganic Materials Analysis and Testing Center, Deputy Director and Party Branch Secretary Zeng Huarong of the Information Functional Materials and Devices Research Center, Chair of the Labor Union Sun Weiyan, Deputy Director of the Graduate Department Lu Caifei, as well as graduate supervisors and part-time counselors. Over 400 faculty members and students watched the gala on site. The event was simultaneously live-streamed on Bilibili and WeChat Channels, attracting over 2,000 online viewers. The gala was organized by the Institute's Graduate Department and hosted by the 2025 Graduate Student Union.

At the opening of the gala, a heartwarming video featuring greetings from Party Committee Secretary Wang Dong, Academician of CAS Shi Jianlin, Academician of CAE Dong Shaoming, Academician of CAS Chen Lidong, teachers from the Youth League Committee of UCAS, as well as representatives from sister institutes and students, was premiered. Their earnest messages and best wishes transcended the screen, reaching the hearts of every audience member present.

Su Liangbi delivered the opening speech. On behalf of SICCAS, he extended sincere greetings and heartfelt gratitude to all faculty and students. He noted that the past year was one of perseverance and fruitful results for the institute. Looking ahead to the new year, the institute will continue to uphold the "SICCAS spirit" of "seeking truth and being pragmatic, collaborating and dedicating," inherit fine traditions, bravely shoulder missions to scale new heights, and work together to write a more brilliant tomorrow for the SICCAS.

The opening performance was a vibrant rendition of "New Boy" by the 2024 band, whose dynamic melody instantly ignited the atmosphere. The gala unfolded along the thread of "Homecoming—Bridge of Songs—New Journey—Grand Chapter," with four chapters progressing layer by layer, showcasing both the patriotism of researchers and the tender confessions of youth.

The first chapter, "Homecoming as the Root: Staying True to the Original Aspiration of Scientific Research," featured a male-female duet of "Parting Song," expressing farewells and expectations through soaring melodies; a "New Year" dance medley displaying youthful vitality with agile movements; a magic show "Choice" turning the impossible into possible, drawing rounds of amazement; and the dance "As You Wish," conveying yearning for a better life through tender choreography, deeply moving the audience.

The second chapter, "Taking Songs as a Bridge: Gathering Collective Warmth," presented an electronic piano solo "Flower Dance," painting a beautiful picture of blooming flowers with pure piano sound; "ZOO" performed by all members of the dance class, interpreting infinite possibilities of life through creative choreography; a female chorus "Lover," weaving gentle echoes with unique vocal tones; and a classical solo dance "A Guest in Misty Rain in Blue Gown," fully displaying oriental charm as the blue gown flowed, immersing the audience.

The third chapter, "New Journey as the Direction: Heading Toward a Bright Future," saw Researcher Wen Zhaoyin deliver a male solo "Hello, Motherland," brimming with patriotic sentiment between the lines; a male-female duet "Annoying Autumn Wind," igniting the enthusiasm with cheerful rhythms; the crosstalk "Toponymy," perfectly blending researchers' ingenuity with humor, packed with continuous punchlines and dense laughs; and a "Childhood Songs Medley" awakening shared youthful memories of the whole audience, both heartwarming and healing.

The fourth chapter, "Connecting Past and Future: Continuing to Write the Grand Chapter of Development," featured a Beatbox performance "Shine Bright," showcasing the elegance of youth with pure rhythm; an original talk show "Just Let It Be," presenting the daily life of scientific research in a witty way; a band song medley "Dan, DLBA, Deadman, X," releasing youthful energy with passionate melodies; and finally, a song medley of "Rice Fragrance" + "I Love You, China," integrating patriotism with nostalgic memories, intertwining grandeur and warmth, bringing the artistic performances to a successful close.

Melodious songs bid farewell to the old year, and graceful dances welcome the new. Standing at this new starting point, all faculty and students of the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics will carry the touching moments and strength from this night, using original aspiration as the rudder and struggle as the sail, to continue writing a new chapter on the journey of serving the country through scientific research.