Kenyans prepare to mark the Mid-Autumn festival

Kenyans were on Friday treated to traditional Chinese dances, music, drama, and poetry by students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi as they prepared for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, one of China's most important traditional holidays.

During the event, which was held in partnership with the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, the operator of Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway, speakers said that there is growing awareness among Kenyans of Chinese festivals due to deeper commercial and cultural ties between the two countries.

Nelson Asienwa, head of corporate and culture at the company, said that Kenyans and the Chinese have a lot in common and the Mid-Autumn Festival corresponds to thanksgiving by farmers during harvest. He added that it is through such cultural activities that Kenyans and the Chinese community can gain deeper understanding of each other.

According to Wang Xinyu, a lecturer at the Confucius Institute, it is important to regularly hold cultural events as a way of promoting cultural exchanges between Kenya and China.

"We have these celebrations so that the students and other Kenyans can learn about the Chinese culture. This time, we have included more activities than before, which is in line with our core mandate here at the institution, which is cultural exchange", Wang said.

Shantal Atieno, a student at Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, said participating in the festival was an eye-opening experience especially for her as she learned more about Chinese culture and language.

"By participating in Chinese cultural activities, we get deeper insights into their traditions and that makes it easier for us in our studies as we learn the Chinese language," Atieno said.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, which takes place annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, will be observed on Sept 17 this year.