Source: China Central Radio and Television International Online
Editor: Yin Liang
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun (second from right) presents auspicious rabbit to Jafia (third from right), Permanent Secretary of Nigeria's Ministry of Information and Culture. (Photo by Wang Xinjun)
International Online Report (Reporter Wang Xinjun): January 14 is the 23rd lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is also the "small year" in the northern part of the mainland. On this day, a unique 2023 "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair on the distant African continent was staged in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. People from all over the world at the scene felt the strong atmosphere of the Chinese New Year through wonderful activities. This is also the first time that the "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair has resumed offline in Nigeria after the suspension of the epidemic.
The dragon and lion dance performance is eye-catching. (Photo by Wang Xinjun)
This year, the temple fair in the courtyard of the Nigerian Chinese Cultural Center was crowded, the atmosphere was blazing, and the programs were splendid. Envoys from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Romania, Italy and other countries in Nigeria also came to the temple fair together with the people of China and Nepal. Chinese cuisine, Chinese and Nepalese cultural performances, Chinese tea art, calligraphy, paper-cutting art, as well as a series of activities such as the "Extraordinary Decade of China in the New Era" photo exhibition, Chinese films and excellent short video exhibitions of "Sino-Nepalese Concert and Music" made this "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair extraordinary.
Chinese calligraphy is hugely popular. (Photo by Wang Xinjun)
The fair was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the Nigerian Chinese Cultural Center, and co-organized by the Nigerian Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Speaking about the original intention of holding the first "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair after the new crown epidemic, Cui Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, told the main station reporter: "The very meaningful thing about this year's event is that everyone has been looking forward to it, and this occasion can reflect that the Nigerian people sincerely want to understand China." Jafia, Permanent Secretary (Deputy Minister) of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Nigeria, said that if our two countries can really deepen the bilateral relationship, which is very important for the development of Nigeria, and it is the same for us, how can we promote 'sharing China and culture, playing China-Nepal harmony' in both aspects, I think there is a lot of work on this topic. ”
Nigerian folk dance performance. (Photo by Wang Xinjun)
Jafia spoke highly of the Chinese Lunar Year of the Rabbit "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair, saying: "It is a great pleasure to represent the Ministry of Information and Culture to attend the major celebration of the Chinese New Year temple fair, through the numerous cultural exchanges between Nigeria, especially in capacity building and other matters, the two countries have established a good cultural cooperation, and I would also like to congratulate the Nigerian Chinese community for promoting people-to-people exchanges and contacts with the Nigerian people." ”
Nigerian visitors visit the photo exhibition "An Extraordinary Decade for China in the New Era". (Photo by Wang Xinjun)
Han Tingting, who has been working and living in Nigeria for 13 years, took her daughter and friends and children to taste food and watch performances at the "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair, she said: "Because of the epidemic, we have not had such a lively temple fair for several years. In overseas Chinese can gather together, we see a lot of Chinese elements when we enter the door, including Chinese dragon dance, Chinese paper cutting, and Chinese calligraphy, but also see a lot of red lanterns, and there are many authentic Chinese food are very popular with local friends, our Chinese friends are also very happy, to have such an occasion everyone to meet together, taste food, lively and have a very characteristic dragon dance, very exciting! ”
Juliana is a TV reporter, and while carefully interviewing at the "Happy Spring Festival" temple fair, she is also curious about the Chinese cultural atmosphere at the scene. When she was given the Chinese name written for her by a diplomat from the Cultural Department of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the Nigerian female journalist said with great joy: "This is the first time I have spent the New Year with Chinese, I can see a lot of new things, I feel that all this year is very interesting, I wish everyone a happy New Year!" ”