Kenyan capital lights up with Spring Festival mood

Spectacular Chinese lion dances, kung fu by local and Chinese groups, and captivating performances of traditional Chinese and Kenyan arts lit up Nairobi on Sunday, drawing hundreds of revelers to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.

Extending greetings and wishes, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said at the event that Spring Festival has become a symbol of Chinese culture that is accepted, recognized and appreciated by the world.

"China actively implements the Global Civilization Initiative and advocates for exchanges, mutual learning, inheritance and development among different civilizations," she said. "Today's Nairobi Chinese New Year Gala is a vivid practice of this initiative. Spring Festival contains the cultural genes and emotions that have been transmitted within the Chinese nation over thousands of years."

Marking the start of Chinese New Year, Spring Festival is the most important traditional celebration in China. This year, it falls on Jan 29. It was listed as a United Nations floating holiday in December 2023, and was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last year.

Ummi Bashir, Kenya's principal secretary for culture, the arts and heritage, said culture and tourism are gaining their rightful place in bilateral cooperation between Kenya and China and will contribute to the growth of bilateral relations.

"Cultural cooperation is a vital tool of people-to-people contact, which constitutes one of the pillars of our strategic partnership, serving both as a bridge and a foundation for fostering mutual understanding and friendship, trust and respect," Bashir said.

"Kenya remains committed to strengthening cultural cooperation and people-to-people contact, and seeking new opportunities to enhance friendship.

"Kenya and China will contribute to advancing the Global Civilization Initiative, which promotes respect for the diversity of civilizations, common values of humanity, importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation," she said.

The colorful event, designed to offer attendees a glimpse into the rich traditions of Spring Festival, surpassed expectations, said Sylvia Achieng, a Nairobi resident who attended the gala.

Achieng was particularly captivated by the Chinese food on display, highlighting surprising similarities between Chinese and Kenyan cuisine. She compared the Chinese beef skewers to Kenya's mshikaki, and said the dumplings reminded her of local samosas.

"I also had the opportunity to taste Chinese dishes I have never heard of, and I think I'll be visiting Chinese restaurants more often," Achieng said. "The chefs have taught me how to use chopsticks and I have to make sure I practice by trying more Chinese cuisine."

otiato@chinadaily.com.cn