Nigeria and China on Thursday jointly celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival, an ancient Chinese tradition symbolizing family reunion, harvest, and blessings, at a colorful cultural showcase in Abuja.
The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy, featured captivating performances by the Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theatre, Shantou Acrobatic Troupe, and Shenzhen XingZhe Fusion Band, blending dance, acrobatics, martial arts, and music inspired by Chinese poetry and folklore. Guests also explored a photo exhibition titled “The Charms of Shenzhen”, highlighting China’s modernization journey.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the festival as a symbol of unity and cultural exchange. “On this day, we enjoy mooncakes while admiring the full moon, sending our thoughts and best wishes to family and friends who aren’t by our side,” he said, quoting a Chinese poem. He stressed that cultural exchanges like the festival “are a heartfelt expression of our warmest wishes for the China-Nigeria friendship.”
Yu also introduced Shenzhen, home to the performing artists, as a model of China’s transformation from a fishing village into a global innovation hub with a GDP exceeding $500 billion in 2024, while nurturing a vibrant cultural identity.
Representing the Nigerian government, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, praised the showcase and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with China through cultural diplomacy. He described the Mid-Autumn Festival as a shared value, noting that Nigeria also celebrates harvest, family unity, and blessings.
“This shared appreciation for life’s most precious gifts forms a powerful bridge between our peoples,” Muhammad said, adding that this year’s celebration holds special significance as both countries mark their national days on October 1.
As the evening concluded, guests shared mooncakes and toasted to deeper cooperation. Both Ambassador Yu and Dr. Muhammad emphasized that cultural and creative exchange remains central to advancing China-Nigeria relations, with partnerships extending to arts, tourism, and the creative economy.
