At 8.30am on Saturday, the Chinese community in Rwanda and dozens of Rwandans were at China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) site in Gacuriro, Kigali for the Chinese Spring Festival.

It was a day of festivities with Chinese and Rwandans celebrating of their diverse cultures ahead of the most important holiday, the 2016, Chinese New Year which falls today, Monday February 8.

This will marks the beginning of the weeklong holiday of celebration for the Chinese.

Saturday’s event featured dance and drama with spectacular display of diverse culture by both Chinese and Rwandans.

‘My Chinese heart’ by XIXUNGUO a patriotic folksong with a message about patriotism was the first to be performed, challenging Chinese to love their country.

Others included ‘Friends’’ by Alisha and Wanga, which is about intimacy of people in relationships, a sensational TAO DAGUO which reminds Chinese about their motherland.

The event also featured ZHANGHEI dance and ‘rope’ tug-of-war game, both fascinating to revelers.

On the Rwandan side, ‘Ibare dance’ by Clarisse Mukanyubaho, Ntujya Unkinisha, Ihorere among others, were performed.

Meanwhile, earlier on Friday evening, the Chinese community in Rwanda was joined by several Rwandans at the Chinese embassy in Kigali for the same festival celebration.

The event was graced by Rwanda government officials and members of the diplomatic corps in Kigali.

Pan Hejun, the Chinese ambassador to Rwanda, noted the growing Sino-Africa cooperation and the ties between China and Rwanda over the years.

The envoy also highlighted China’s achievements in the past year, including economic growth which reached 6.9 per cent, the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and China becoming member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

He also cited last year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, South Africa which he described as a historic event in the Sino-Africa relations.

"I firmly believe the cooperation in all fields between China and Rwanda will be strengthened, the friendly relations between China and Rwanda will be developed to a new high,” he said.

The Spring Festival is the most important and traditional festival for Chinese and reflects one of the core values of the Chinese culture.

It is a time for family reunion, celebrations, and review of the past while making good wishes for the future.

According to Chinese Lunar Calendar, the first day of the first Lunar month is the Spring Festival, as it occurs at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The first day of the Chinese New Year falls on the new moon between January 21 and February 20.

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