An art delegation from central China’s Hubei Province staged performances in New Zealand South Island city of Christchurch on Sunday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and sister-city ties between Hubei’s capital Wuhan and Christchurch.
The performances featured dance, songs, instrumental ensemble including erhu, a bowed, two-stringed Chinese vertical fiddle, as well as acrobatics, magic show and tai-chi demonstrations, and attracted more than 700 people.
Chinese Consul General in Christchurch He Ying said at the opening ceremony that the Hubei delegation brought New Zealanders a different cultural experience and artistic feast with their unique performances, fostering cultural exchanges and traditional friendship between the two cities, which forged sister-city ties in 2006.
Christchurch City Councilor Victoria Henstock said she was very excited to experience the vibrancy of Hubei’s culture deeply rooted in artistic achievement and creativity.
The gala was full of powerful rhythms of traditional music and graceful dance and expressive storytelling, captivating audiences for generations, Henstock said.
Xu Yong, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and head of the art delegation, said Wuhan and Christchurch have established a sound and stable communication and coordination mechanism since the establishment of sister-city ties between the two cities.
The two cities have carried out cooperation in culture, tourism, the economy, trade, education and sports, Xu said.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, or the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals, for family reunion and happiness with the full moon.