KIGALI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- An art group from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday evening staged an art performance in Rwanda's capital city Kigali, under the framework of the "Happy Chinese New Year" program.
The "Happy Chinese New Year" gala is presented in Rwanda for the fourth consecutive time. Featuring the Inner Mongolia's unique cultural appeal, this year's gala consisted of Mongolian dance, long tune, stringed instrument morin khuur and unique khoomei singing, among others.
Cultural exchanges are one of the best ways to promote civilization diversity, stimulate artistic creations and enhance mutual understanding, said Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Rao Hongwei at the gala.
With more people-to-people exchanges, China and Rwanda will build a China-Rwanda community with a shared future that enjoys cultural prosperity, he said.
Rwandan Minister of Sports and Culture Esperance Nyirasafari welcomed the art troupe who traveled from far away to share the richness and uniqueness of the Chinese culture. It is a great pleasure to celebrate the culture ties between the two peoples through this performance, she said, adding that the Rwandan government commend all efforts and initiatives to strengthen the bilateral cultural ties.
More than 1,000 people from China and Rwanda attended the gala.
Inner Mongolia located in northern China is home to ethnic minorities, including Mongolia, Manchu, Hui, Korea and etc.
The Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival for people of Chinese origin, featuring family reunions, feasts and performances. The Year of the Pig in the Chinese lunar calendar will begin on Feb. 5, 2019.
The "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations were launched as a project in 2010 to have people in different parts of the world to share the joy and grand celebration with the Chinese people and learn about the Chinese culture.
