editor
The vibrant and culturally rich atmosphere, dotted with Red lanterns, Year of the Dragon decorations coupled with festive music ,captivated the over 200 attendees in Dar Es Salaam, who gathered to celebrate this year’s Spring Festival organized at the university of Dar Es Salaam.
The Colourful “Dragon –themed event , which coincides with the 60th anniversary between China and Tanzania in bilateral collaboration showcased a flamboyant display of the Chinese culture through food,music, dance and drumming.
The gala, dubbed “Confucius Institute Spring Festival Gala 2024 Food Carnival “organized in collaboration with the China Communications Construction Company,(CCCC) aimed at celebrating the traditional Chinese Spring Festival ,showcasing a unique opportunity to experience a fusion of Chinese delicacies, traditional favorites, and innovative culinary creations.
Lion Dance from the Confucius Institute, who officially out doored the Traditional Chinese Cuisine, explained that the annual event has fostered the growing interest in Chinese culture and cuisine in Tanzania, stressing that the event has further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between China and Tanzania.
Attendees were treated to traditional Chinese Spring Festival with a unique twist, incorporating a diverse array of Chinese cultural performances, interesting lottery games as they savored a wide variety of Chinese dishes.
Speaking at the event, Chen Jian ,the Executive General Manager Of Tanzania Branch Of China Communications Construction Company(CCCC), expressed his delight at the opportunity to bring together elements of Chinese and Tanzanian culture, fostering greater understanding and appreciation between the two nations. Chen Jian, also highlighted the strong cultural exchange between China and Tanzania, that has fostered greater understanding and appreciation between the two nations over the years. “by celebrating the Chinese New Year together, we not only honor the Chinese community, but also foster a sense of unity amongst all of us. Education is a powerful tool that breaks down boundaries and broadens horizons. It enables us to embrace different cultures, traditions and perspectives, promoting a global mindset that is essential in today’s interconnected world,” he said.
Chen Jian,also believes ,the collaboration between the Confucius Institute and the China Communications Construction Company exemplified the spirit of cultural exchange and cooperation.
Professor Aldin Kai Mutembei, lecture at the Department of Literature and Communication and Publishing, -University of Dar Es Salaam, is of the believe that the Spring Festival event which has been celebrated in Tanzania for 14 years has hugely improved Tanzanian people’s understanding of Chinese culture and provided Tanzanians with the opportunity to share the joy of the Chinese New Year. He also commended the China Communication and Construction Company (CCCC) for their many years of laudable contribution in Tanzania since it inception in 2009.
An award which was presented to CCCC, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar Es Salaam ,Professor William-Andey Anangisye ,eulogized the remarkable contributions of CCCC in Tanzania over the years.
All Dressed in the Chinese traditional apparel, some selected Tanzanian students from the Confucius Institute took turns to display their fluency in the Chines Language and their and prowess in the Chinese culture through singing dancing and drumming.
The success of the Confucius Institute Spring Festival Gala 2024 Food Carnival underscored the growing interest in Chinese culture and cuisine in Dar Es Salaam, further strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between China and Tanzania. The festival would for the first time also be recognized as part of the UN holiday calendar.
The Chinese Lunar New Year also called the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in the Asian country celebrated for more than 4,000 years by the Chinese nation. The Festival symbolizes joy, unity , harmony and prosperity.
The China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) Tanzania office and the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania in December 2023, signed an agreement on enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Tanzania. Established over a decade ago , the Confucius Institute has played an important role promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Tanzania.
