The Chinese community in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Sunday celebrated the upcoming Chinese New Year in a vibrant ceremony.
At the ceremony, various forms of entertainment, including the iconic dragon and lion dances, were performed by students from the Confucius Institute, captivating the onlookers.
Additionally, a Shaolin Temple troupe from Henan, China, thrilled the crowd with special martial arts routines, prompting enthusiastic cheers from attendees.
Dozens of Chinese nationals, many dressed in traditional Chinese attire, visited various exhibition tents to sample Chinese cuisine, tea, and other native Chinese products well into late Sunday afternoon.
Speaking at the gala, the Chinese ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said China actively implements the Global Civilization Initiative and advocates exchanges, mutual learning, inheritance and development among different civilizations.
“Today’s Nairobi Chinese New Year Gala is a vivid practice of this initiative. The Spring Festival contains the cultural genes and emotions that have been transmitted within the Chinese nation for thousands of years. This Festival embodies the common human aspiration for a better life, happy family, social inclusion, and harmonious coexistence between man and nature,” said the ambassador.
The gala, she said, was an opportunity to experience writing of Spring Festival couplets and the blessing character of “FU”, cutting window flowers, wearing traditional Chinese clothing, eating dumplings, weaving Chinese knots, enjoying dragon and lion dances, among other activities.
“I sincerely invite everyone to actively participate and fully feel the charm of this Intangible Cultural Heritage. Meanwhile, there are also cultural and custom interactions with unique characteristics from different provinces of China. Hopefully, all of these could help our overseas Chinese feel the atmosphere of the lunar new year, and also provide a window for friends from all over the world to learn more and understand better about Chinese culture”, said the ambassador.
Also speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Ms. Ummi Bashir, urged all to remember the importance of hope, compassion, and goodwill and to use culture to reach out to others and share happiness and foster long-lasting relationships and the understanding in the New Year of the Wood Snake.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya, I convey to the government, the people of China, and all of you all gathered here today, a year of health, happiness, and continued prosperity. May the New Year be marked by a stronger Kenya-China partnership for the benefit of the two peoples through cultural cooperation”, said PS Ummi Basir.
Kenyans in attendance explored different stalls, sampled products, and participated in activities such as drawing, calligraphy, and fun games.
This cultural event reflects the broader recognition of the Chinese New Year celebration, which was officially designated as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.
