The opening of “Spring Begins Anew, Galloping Miles Ahead” Chinese Spring Festival Cultural Exhibition was held at African Union Conference Center and Office Complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb 10.
The exhibition took the “China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges” as an opportunity, using Spring Festival culture as a bond and intangible cultural heritage skills as a medium to build a bridge for dialogue between Chinese and African civilizations.
The exhibition consists of three sections: The Unending Cycle of Time, The World in Family Reunions, and The Everlasting Vitality of Cultural Heritage, outlining a three-dimensional scenario of Chinese Spring Festival culture.
In the Unending Cycle of Time section, 12 Chinese Longquan celadon zodiac figurines appeared lifelike, while Dongyang wood-carving artwork added auspicious symbolism to China-Africa exchanges.
Meanwhile, all the guests found their zodiac signs in the zodiac handbooks at the exhibition booth and remarked, “Zodiac culture is so fascinating. Each animal sign has a moving story behind it, which helps us better understand the Chinese people’s expectations for the New Year.”
The World in Family Reunions section recreated reunions of Chinese families. Dongyang needle-pierced boneless lanterns shimmered with dazzling brilliance.
Pujiang wheat straw paintings outlined vibrant New Year scenes. Wuju Opera Monkey King appeared vividly, and Song Dynasty-style flower arrangements conveyed an elegant festive atmosphere.
The Everlasting Vitality of Cultural Heritage section showcased millennia-old traditions and contemporary vitality of Spring Festival customs through high-definition images and thematic videos.
The exhibition not only enhanced African people’s understanding of Chinese Spring Festival culture, but also sowed seeds of friendship between Chinese and African people, adding a footnote to a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.