In a bid to enhance cultural exchange and foster people-to-people cooperation, a Chinese Pingtan Art Performance was held on Sunday at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.
Co-hosted by the Network of International Culturalink Entities, the China Cultural Centre, and the Wuxi Pingtan Troupe from Jiangsu Province, the event was attended by embassy officials, members of the diplomatic community, government representatives, students, and music enthusiasts.
In his welcome address, Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Centre, described Pingtan as a “shining pearl” among China’s over 400 traditional folk art forms.
“Originating in the water towns of Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Pingtan blends the narrative depth of storytelling, the lyrical elegance of opera, and the rhythmic charm of music,” he said.
Yang stated that the Pingtan performance by the Wuxi musical troupe aims to use culture as a bridge, allowing Nigerians to experience the rich diversity of Chinese culture and the Chinese people’s pursuit of harmony.
Raphael Oraeluno, Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, praised China’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage through music and dance passed down through generations.
He expressed enthusiasm for deepening cultural exchanges between both countries.
“We look forward to sharing Nigeria’s rich folklore as part of this collaboration. Our ministry has clear policies and strategies to elevate the arts and culture sector to global acclaim,” he said.
In her remarks, Mrs. Msurshima Kighir, Director of Programs at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Chinese government and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation to introduce Mandarin language programming on FRCN to strengthen cultural and interpersonal ties between the two nations.
The event also featured beautiful ballad performances from the Wuxi Pintang troupe to the admiration of those present.
