Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe perform during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)
A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province, together with their counterparts in Tanzania, entertained Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city.
DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province entertained Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city.
Tanzanian artists also joined members of the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in the conference hall of the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. The Spring Festival, the first day of the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb. 10.
The Chinese artists' performances were a combination of traditional Chinese folk music, dance, and trick magic, among others, celebrating the strong friendship between China and Tanzania.
Zhou Xianlong, a 54-year-old businessman who has been working in Tanzania for more than 12 years, is one of over 800 spectators attending the gala. He said he was especially moved by the erhu performance. Erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument.
"I don't really remember how many times I celebrated the Spring Festival in Tanzania. One thing I do always remember is that I love my country and I miss my country," Zhou said. "Thank you so much for bringing the troupe here."
Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe perform acrobatics during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Herman Emmanuel/Xinhua)
The Tanzanian artists were represented by Sonda ya Dihlu AcapellaAcapella Group and Nimujo Arts Center. Their performances included modern dance and songs and acrobatics reflecting various Tanzanian social scenarios.
Richard Muro, founder and chief executive officer of Nimujo Arts Center based in Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam, said his group was aimed at preserving and nurturing Tanzania's traditions.
"The Spring Festival has indeed shown us how the Chinese value their culture," Muro said.
Hamis Mwinjuma, the deputy minister for culture, arts and sports of Tanzania, said the Spring Festival celebrations provided an important family reunion occasion.
"For my Chinese brothers and sisters who have made Tanzania their home away from their motherland, I sincerely hope you enjoy a happy reunion with your beloved ones," he said.
"The relationship between Tanzania and China has always been grounded in friendship and that's why we spare no time to engage not only in political and economic affairs but also in social events such as this one," Mwinjuma said, reiterating Tanzania's commitment to continuing to work closely with the Chinese government in enhancing bilateral relations.
Chen Mingjian, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, and that the dragon is auspicious in the Chinese mindset, a symbol of the spirit of the Chinese nation, representing strength, confidence, good luck, creativity, and enterprising spirit.
Tanzanian artists perform traditional Tanzanian dance during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)
The China-Tanzania friendship dates back thousands of years and the ties between the two peoples have been growing closer and stronger in the past decades, she said.
Over the past 60 years, the two countries have enjoyed increasingly frequent cooperation in economy, trade, education, agriculture, medical care, and culture, Chen said.
"Right now, we are working together to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era," said the Chinese envoy. ■