The need to strengthen harmony and friendship has been highlighted at the joint musical performance by the China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO) and the Nigeria Arts Troupe held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
With the theme Share Chinese Harmony, Perform Nigeria-China Symphony, the joint performance was organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the China General Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun said the Chinese Traditional Orchestra was invited to Nigeria to perform for the first time based on the belief that cultural exchange is vital in promoting harmony and people-to-people cooperation between both nations.
“Harmony and Symphony is very important for every individual, society and nation. Symphony is a function of harmony. In traditional China, we believe in harmony in co-existence, harmony in integration, harmony in diversity and harmony in development,” he said.
“We perform Nigeria-China Symphony to deepen the relationship and people-to-people cooperation between both nations.
“We perform Nigeria-China symphony to achieve four cardinal objectives namely kindness and harmony; happiness and friendship; unity and concordance; peace and consonance.
“I hope that after this performance from these wonderful music groups, China and Nigeria will continue to enjoy harmony for a shared future.”
Guests at the event were treated to amazing orchestra such as “Dragons and Tigers Leaping”, “Moonlit Night on a Spring River”, and “Beautiful Africa” by the Chinese contingent, while the Nigerian troupe performed highlife melodies such as “Guitar Boy”, “Onidodo Oni Moi Moi”, and “Omi Pupa”.
A major highlight was the joint performance of the popular Nigerian folk song “Akwai wani geri” and the Chinese song “Jasmine Flower” by the China Traditional Orchestra and Nigeria Arts Troupe.
It is expected that through cultural exchanges like this, both countries can deepen win-win cooperation and enjoy harmony in coexistence, harmony in integration, harmony in diversity and harmony in development.
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