By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The opening of the “Spring Begins Anew, Galloping Miles Ahead” Chinese Spring Festival Cultural Exhibition was held at the African Union Conference Center and Office Complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 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.
The Unending Cycle of Time
In this section, 12 Chinese Longquan celadon zodiac figurines appeared lifelike, while Dongyang wood-carving artwork added auspicious symbolism to China–Africa exchanges. 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
This section recreated reunions of Chinese families. Dongyang needle-pierced boneless lanterns shimmered with dazzling brilliance, while Pujiang wheat straw paintings outlined vibrant New Year scenes. Wuju Opera’s Monkey King appeared vividly, and Song Dynasty–style flower arrangements conveyed an elegant festive atmosphere.
The Everlasting Vitality of Cultural Heritage
The final section showcased the 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 meaningful footnote to the building of a closer China–Africa community with a shared future.
