UN Chinese Language Day: Chinese Community celebrates China-France-Nigeria Cultural Exchange

Nigeria, China and France cultural relationship continues to grow as China in collaboration with France increases its cultural presence in Nigeria.

China, through one of its cultural groups in Nigeria, Hua Xing Arts Troupe, took its cultural studies to Lycée Français Louis Pasteur de Lagos, a French international school in Lagos.

The event is part of the United Nations Chinese Language Day celebrations, which is celebrated yearly on 20th of April.

Speaking at the event, the acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr Jin Mingyu said, “I am very happy today, it happens to be the UN Chinese language day and today’s events are themed on China, France and Nigeria cultural exchange. Chinese language is very important as well as very other languages, so what we are highlighting today is the cultural exchange which includes language.”

On his part, the French Consulate General in Lagos, M Catino, who gave his speech through the school head principal M Malrieu said, “ It’s a great show to recall the ties that unite France, China and Nigeria, We French carry the values of sharing and exchanging Interculturality, and I think that makes today a very important day, truly it shows that we can all live together for great sailing moments.”

Also, the chairman of the Chinese Industrial and Commercial Enterprise Association and Hua Xing Arts Trouoe in Nigeria, Dr Eric Ni said, “Understanding each countries culture will promote mutual understanding and respect between those countries”

Ni said, “There are many Chinese living in Nigeria today, so doing business together, we need to understand ourselves, communicate with ourselves, like myself, i speak pidgin english which I learned here in Nigeria, that is the importance of culture.”

Children were taught different dance moves, some of the cultural performances on display were Lion dance, Waist drum dance, Fan dance, French rhyme rendition and Wushu Kungfu display.

China, France and Nigeria are strong trading partners, with the current visit of the French President to China, the relationship hopes to be stronger economically and culturally.