By Othuke Evroh
Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, has stated that the Mid-Autumn Festival which is a yearly festival that marks the full moon and harvest season in China, is also a period of family reunions, a time for lantern-making and baking mooncakes.
Mr. Yang Jianxing made this remark in his welcome speech at the 2024 Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, hosted on Thursday, at the Chinese Cultural Centre, Abuja, by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja, China International Association and Tourism Department of Henan Province.
The high point of the event was the breathtaking display of various performances and dances, particularly the Shaolin Kung Fu show, orchestrated by the delegation from Zhengzhou, China, to showcase the importance of culture to China. These performances highlighted the country’s rich cultural heritage and its significance in Chinese tradition.
The event was organized by several entities including the China Cultural Center in Nigeria, Network of International Culturalink Entities, Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio TV and Tourism and Jinhua Bureau of Culture Radio, Television and Tourism.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yang Jianxing noted that the 15th day of the 8th lunar month is the midpoint of autumn.
“In China, the 15th day of the 8th lunar month is the midpoint of autumn and this day is celebrated as the Mid-autumn Festival, it has a very long history, more than one thousand years”.
“On this day, family members usually gather for dinner, admire the full moon and enjoy mooncakes, make beautiful wishes for there to be family peace, unity and happiness”, he stated.
He further noted that the Chinese have expanded the concept of family reunion embodied in the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“The culture of the Mid-Autumn Festival has formed a worldview of caring for others and benefiting the world. This is a key to understanding China and the Chinese people. Culture serves as a bridge and bond for connecting hearts and minds”, he stated.
The Cultural Counselor also highlighted the significance of elevating Nigeria-China bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships.
“At the beginning of this month, during the successful Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will work with Africa to take ten partnership actions for modernization. In simpler words, China would like to share experience, enhance growth with Nigeria and develop together with all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including Nigeria”, he concluded.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Zhao Hengkang. Deputy Secretary-General of Zhengzhou Municipal Government, stated that the Mid-Autumn Festival gives China the opportunity to express its cultural ties with different countries, including Nigeria.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival has given us another privilege to share the cultural and martial arts charm from the Homeland of Chinese Kung Fu. When people think of Zhengzhou, the first thing that may come to mind is the world-famous Shaolin Kung Fu which integrates Zen, martial arts and medicine. And art is a fusion of Buddhist culture and traditional Chinese culture, he said.
“Cultural exchange forms an important part of bilateral relations, which is important in terms of promoting relations in all areas. China and Nigeria can learn from each other to bridge the gap of cultural differences and enhance integration”, he declared.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event include Patricia Ebiene, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, represented by Mrs. Zainab Ali Biu, Director of the International Cultural Relations Division of the
Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy. In her Goodwill message, Patricia Ebiene noted that the bilateral relation of Nigeria and China dates back to the early 1970s.
“The bilateral relations between Nigeria and China date back to the early 1970s when our two nations established diplomatic ties. Since then, we have engaged in numerous cultural exchanges, establishing a robust framework built on mutual respect, friendship and cooperative”.
“Culture is the heritage of any nation; it embodies our values, history and the essence of who we are”, she stated.
Meanwhile, she also noted that Nigeria and China have a lot to benefit from their shared cultural ties.
“Nigeria and China can mutually benefit from this strengthened partnership. Through cultural exchanges and collaborations, we can establish more platforms for cultural exchanges such as art exhibitions, film festivals and performances that showcase the talents of our artists, musicians and filmmakers. These initiatives will create deeper connections between our peoples and highlight shared values and experiences”, she said.
Dignitaries Present at the festival included; Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Zhao Hengkang, Deputy Secretary-General of Zhengzhou Municipal Government, Zainab Ali Biu, Director of the International Cultural Relations Division of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Lu Feng, Project Director of the Centre for Sino-Foreign Cultural exchanges, Professor Sherif, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, Mr Yakub, from the Secondary Education Board of the Capital Territory, among others.
