THE Chinese community in Zimbabwe was on Friday evening thrilled with a spectacular display of various cultural performances during the Chinese New Year’s Gala at 7Arts theatre in Harare.
Tinashe Sibanda
The scores of mostly Chinese people who were present at the event to celebrate their New Year were treated to some well-choreographed Chinese dance, folk music, songs and skillful acrobatics, among other performances.
“I am very thankful to all who have come to celebrate the start of our New Year with us. Chinese people use different animal symbols to mark different years and I am proud to say that this year is the year of the snake,” Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Lin Lin said.
He said to the Chinese the snake symbolised longevity, prosperity and good fortune, thus he wished all Chinese people good health and fortune throughout 2013.
During the event, there were colourful and articulate performances by some of China’s top artistes and these included the Four Men’s Acrobatic show, Music by Chang Sisi, Lv Jihong,Yang Hongji and amazing Peking Opera by Yu Lan.
Other performances included festival of spring dances, The Seas Pursuit, Erhu Solo, Chess, Calligraphy and Painting Music dances, Wing of Heart and one of the crowds’ favourite, the Dance of Female Soldier which saw a group of ballerinas in a well-choreographed story telling dance performance.
“This event is also an oriental art show to the Chinese people based in Zimbabwe to promote understanding among Zimbabweans about China and the Chinese culture,” Ambassador Lin said.
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He said the event was also aimed at encouraging the carrying out of exchange programmes with Zimbabwean artistes to learn various skills from each other.
Despite language barrier as the show was all Chinese everyone in the crowd was left in awe by the risk-taking Shaking Pipes Acrobat Wang Qiang, who showed great talent, skill and flexibility as he performed on top of a table balancing his body on cylinder shaped pipes that were shaking.
Also present to witness the beautiful display of talents was Media, Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu together with Education, Sport, Arts and Culture deputy minister Lazarus Dokora.
