By Michael Onjewu, Abuja
The China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria (CGCCN), in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, celebrated the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival on Saturday, marking the end of the harvest season and the symbolic full moon, which represents completeness and reunion.
The festivities took place at the Silk Road Restaurant in Abuja, drawing a diverse crowd that included leaders of Chinese enterprises in Nigeria, embassy officials, members of the diplomatic community, academic scholars, and both Nigerian and Chinese nationals.
In his remarks, Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, emphasized the significance of the festival.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. It symbolizes the harvest and the full moon, representing completeness and unity,” he said.
Li further highlighted the cultural ties between China and Nigeria, stating, “By celebrating traditional festivals together, both countries can enhance their relationship and promote mutual understanding and cooperation.”
He stated that the festival is a time of gratitude for the year’s harvest, embodying the Chinese proverb, “no pain, no gain,” which reflects the hard work leading to this bountiful season.
The event was not just a celebration but also an opportunity for cultural exchange. Attendees participated in a raffle draw, with exciting prizes including electronic devices, dining coupons, travel tickets, beverages and health products.
Michael Olugbode, a Nigerian journalist with ThisDay Newspapers, won a million Naira dining voucher and expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the event.
“It was great winning the voucher, and I must thank the Chinese Embassy, Cultural Centre, China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, and the Silk Road Restaurant for this prize. They have made me an ambassador of Chinese culture and the Mooncake Festival.”
In addition to the raffle, the celebration included a training session on how to prepare traditional mooncakes, a staple of the festival, and a media parley discussing the significance of the 2024 Summit on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in strengthening ties between Nigeria and China.
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