A special cultural event was held on Tuesday in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, to showcase the close connections between African people and China, as well as to highlight the growing China-Africa cooperation and cultural exchange.
Titled “Written in the Sky: My China Story,” the event was sponsored by China Media Group (CMG) Africa, with assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the University of Abuja, the Nigerian Television Authority, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The event attracted over 100 attendees, including government representatives, media outlets, cultural and educational institutions from China, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, South Africa, and Kenya.
As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a global campaign of the same title was launched in March to collect unique perspectives, experiences, and understandings about China from people on African continent and beyond.
Over the past six months, participants from 20 African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, and Zambia, have submitted about 80 works in various formats like videos, articles and photographs, to express their connections with China.
Shen Haixiong, CMG President and Editor-in-chief, delivered a video message at the event, lauding the impact of the “Written in the Sky” global campaign on fostering civilizational exchange.
“China Media Group shall dedicate itself to strengthening international cultural exchanges, advancing global dialogue among civilizations, and fostering mutual understanding among peoples,” Shen said. He also called for collaborative efforts in “crafting a glorious chapter in the journey to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”
One participant of the global campaign, Professor Paul Tembe, the founder and director of SELE Encounters in South Africa attended the event to recount his memories, while another participant, Sammy Nyatota, director of KEDA School in Kenya, shared his incisive thoughts via a video. Other excellent collected works were also displayed at Tuesday’s gathering.
All of these stories and works helped people gain a deeper understanding of the real China in various aspects, and served as a bridge to connect hearts between China and Africa.
Activities were also organized during the event to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, as this traditional Chinese festival, symbolizing reunion and harvest, fell on September 17.
