Nigeria and China on Thursday jointly marked the Mid-Autumn Festival, a centuries-old Chinese tradition symbolizing family reunion, harvest, and blessings, at a colorful cultural showcase in Abuja.
Hosted by the Chinese Embassy, the event featured performances by the Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theatre, Shantou Acrobatic Troupe, and Shenzhen XingZhe Fusion Band, blending dance, acrobatics, martial arts, music, and Chinese folklore. Guests also viewed a photo exhibition, “The Charms of Shenzhen”, highlighting China’s modernization and cultural heritage.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, underscored the symbolic significance of the festival and the importance of cultural exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations. “Friendship, which derives from close contact between peoples, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations,” he said.
Representing the Federal Government, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, praised the celebration as a reflection of Nigeria-China friendship. He noted that both countries share values of harvest, unity, and blessings, describing them as “a powerful bridge between our peoples.”
Muhammad also highlighted the significance of this year’s celebration, with both nations set to mark their national days on October 1, calling it a “symbol of aligned aspirations for pride, development, and progress.”
The evening ended with guests sharing mooncakes, the festival’s signature delicacy, while reaffirming commitments to deepen cooperation through culture, tourism, and the creative economy.
