SUVA, Sept 14 (NNN-FBC) – The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Fiji’s Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage, and Arts, co-hosted a concert here, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as, the 10th anniversary of China Cultural Centre in Fiji.
The event, themed “Xi’an Drum Music and South Pacific Melodies,” attracted more than 500 participants, including Chinese and Fijian officials, representatives from the Chinese community, and people from all walks of life.
Dressed in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes, artistes from north-west China’s Shannxi Province, showcased the beauty of Xi’an Drum Music, a cultural heritage that has been passed down for thousands of years.
The music, also known as Xi’an guyue, is the regional Chinese ritual music genre, featuring a type of wind and percussion ensemble, named for its place of origin, Xi’an, capital of Shannxi. It was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009.
The Fijian performers presented the Meke, a traditional Fijian dance and performance, that combines singing, music, and storytelling to convey legends, history, and cultural values.
At the finale, artistes from both countries collaborated to sing a Fijian song accompanied by Chinese classical instruments, which resonated with the audience and received prolonged applause.
Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Zhou Jian, said that, the collaboration between Chinese and Fijian artistes highlighted the intersection of ancient Chinese civilisation and the vibrant culture of Fiji, expressing a shared hope for the development of Sino-Fijian relations and world peace.
Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu, assistant minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage, and Arts, praised the friendship between China and Fiji, which promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding, wishing for fruitful outcomes in the partnership between the two countries.– NNN-FBC
