Chinese Mid Autumn festival celebrated in Colombo
A cultural performance to celebrate the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival was held on Sep. 24 in Colombo.The event, held at the New Arts Theatre of the University of Colombo featured a cultural troupe from the Zhejiang province in China.
The event was jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, the Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism of Zhejiang Province, the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, and the University of Colombo, and co-hosted by the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group and the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo.
A host of guests attended the event to celebrate the festive occasion, including local and foreign diplomats; friends from various sectors in Sri Lanka; representatives from Confucius Institutes (Classrooms) and Chinese enterprise associations; local Chinese expats; as well as faculty members and students from the University of Colombo.Addressing the event, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Wei Huaxiang drew parallels between the two countries, pointing out that just as the full moon is significant to the Chinese during the Mid-Autumn festival, the full moon poya day is of great importance to people in Sri Lanka.He further said : “An ancient Chinese poem goes : ‘The bright moon rises over the sea ; we share this moment though far apart.’ .The same bright moon carries the Sri Lankan people’s hope for a peaceful and harmonious life and the Chinese people’s yearning for happiness and reunion. It is this moon that closely links the hearts of our two peoples and builds a bright bridge for our cultural exchanges.”
Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo – Prof. Indika Mahesh Karunathilake expressed his pride at the strong relations between the university and China. Secretary to the Prime Minister- Mr. G. Pradeep Saputhanthri pointed out that events such as these with the presence of communities from both countries play an important role in strengthening the ‘human dimensions of our bilateral relationships.’… “May the Mid Autumn festival continue to remind us that just as the same moon shines above all of us, our shared humanity provides common ground upon which lasting friendship can be built.”
