By Adnan Hameed
TWA
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In a heartening display of cultural unity, children from Pakistan and China joined forces in Islamabad to commemorate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The event, orchestrated by the China-Pak Educational Cultural Institute (CPECI), unfolded in a festively adorned hotel hall featuring traditional Chinese red lanterns.
Despite the chilly and foggy weather, the venue echoed with chants of “Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship,” resonating the robust bond between the two nations. Attendees comprised a diverse mix of individuals from both Pakistan and China, including teachers, students, and volunteers.
The gala unfolded a spectacular array of performances, showcasing traditional dances, sitcoms, and Kung Fu, filling the atmosphere with joy, peace, and harmony. The festivities commenced with a captivating classical dance, “Flying Swallow,” symbolizing the arrival of spring, performed by Chinese talent Liu Huijun.
Eight-year-old Sidra Sajjad, adorned in a glittering golden gown, expressed her excitement about performing a song that underscores the profound friendship between Pakistan and China. Sajjad shared the stage with her Chinese counterparts, enhancing the cultural richness of the event through the exchange of traditional dresses.
Sobia Adnan, director of Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home (ICOSH), a China-funded orphanage, underscored the impact of the celebrations on underprivileged children. Adnan highlighted the humane and beautiful aspects of both Pakistani and Chinese cultures, reinforcing the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Shifa Butt, instructor of the “Mother” dance, drew parallels between Pakistani and Chinese cultural values, emphasizing the gratitude expressed through the performance. The gala reached new heights with a captivating “Kemusan” dance by Chinese boy Ma Yusheng, showcasing the latest internet sensation in China, the “Subject Three” dance.
Asma Munir Salman, a school leader from Great Maple School, Rawalpindi, commended the event for leveraging music and art to promote cultural mutual learning, peace, and inclusiveness. Salman highlighted the enthusiasm among Pakistani students for learning Chinese language, culture, and martial arts, fostering global understanding and peaceful relations.
Ma Bin, president of CPECI, articulated the event’s purpose as a platform for children from both countries to share the joy and peace of the Chinese New Year. Emphasizing Chinese cultural thought’s commitment to equality and inclusiveness, Ma Bin expressed hope that mutual exchanges and artistic performances would deepen cultural appreciation between Pakistani and Chinese children.
