A cultural event celebrating China's Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day was held in Nigeria on September 26th, attracting over 300 guests from various sectors. The event, titled "A Moment to Remarkable: Mid-Autumn Festival and Celebrating the National Day," was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the China International Culture Association, and the Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. The gathering took place at the China Cultural Center in Nigeria, marking an important moment in the growing cultural exchange between China and Nigeria.

The event was attended by high-profile figures, including Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zainab Ali Biu, Director of International Cultural Relations at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, and Zhao Hengkang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government. They all delivered speeches underlining the significance of this cultural partnership.

In his remarks, Counselor Yang emphasized the symbolic importance of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions in China. He connected the values of family unity to broader themes of global cooperation, highlighting China’s role in fostering stronger ties with Africa, including Nigeria, as showcased during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

"China and Africa are one family," Counselor Yang stated. "Through cultural exchanges like this, we hope to deepen understanding and friendship between our peoples, providing a solid foundation for the strategic partnership between China and Nigeria."

Director Zainab praised the strengthening cooperation between China and Nigeria in areas of culture, tourism, and creative industries, stressing that such collaborations are vital to enhancing bilateral ties.

Zhao Hengkang introduced Henan Province’s rich cultural and historical heritage, including Shaolin Kung Fu and iconic ancient landmarks. He extended an invitation to Nigerian attendees to visit Zhengzhou and experience the province’s cultural treasures.

The event featured vibrant cultural performances, with Shaolin Kung Fu, Henan Yu Opera, and Zhejiang Wu Opera showcasing the richness of Chinese performing arts. Nigerian guests also engaged with interactive displays, including clay sculpting and pyrography, which offered a hands-on experience of China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Local contributions played a central role, with Nigerian students performing Chinese dances and martial arts. The Capital Chorus delivered a blend of Nigerian and Chinese songs, symbolizing the shared cultural connection between the two nations. The Nigerian youth group, Peace Drum and Music, added a local flavor with their traditional dance and music performances, further enhancing the cultural exchange.

The evening reached a peak when Nigerian artists performed“I Love You, China,”receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience, who responded with chants of“I Love Nigeria”and“I Love China.”This powerful display of mutual admiration reflected the deepening friendship between the two countries.

BGICC representatives, Yu Shipeng and Zhu Guangming, attended the event, reflecting on the cultural learning and exchange opportunities. The event successfully fostered greater cultural understanding, strengthening the ever-growing partnership between China and Nigeria.