Lifestyle

On the morning of May 20, 2010, "African Culture in Focus 2010," an event jointly organized by five Chinese government agencies, including the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, kicked off inside the China Millennium Monument in Beijing. Performances by 16 young Africans from the Chinese Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School and dancers from Mauritius won thunderous applause from the audience.

On the same day, the Africa Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo welcomed its millionth visitor. The performance troupes from Mauritius, Cape Verde, Ethiopia and other African countries participating in "African Culture in Focus 2010" will also showcase their talents at the Expo. Jean Ping, Chairman of the African Union Commission, said in his congratulatory message that the "African Culture in Focus 2010" will demonstrate African cultural traditions and beliefs, as well as significant progress in Sino-African relations in a variety of ways.

Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) back in 2006, significant progress has been made in cultural exchange between the two. And though only in its third year, "Culture in Focus" is playing an increasingly important role in Sino-African cultural exchange. In 2008, the "African Culture in Focus" event held in Shenzhen was a big success. The following year, the "Chinese Culture in Focus 2009" ran in more than 20 countries across Africa. The brand "Culture in Focus" for China-Africa cultural cooperation is gradually gaining recognition. At the Fourth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in Egypt in November 2009, the Sharm El Sheikh Action Plan proposed "Culture in Focus" should be held alternately in Africa and China year by year.

Over the three years this event has been held, more than 700 Chinese artists have performed on the African continent, while 370 performers and more than 100 cultural officials, painters, museology experts, photographers and acrobatic and martial arts students from 21 African countries have come to China on exchange.

Booming cultural exchange

This year, "African Culture in Focus 2010" will be held from May to November – much longer than the 10 days allotted for the event last year. Moreover, it has expanded to many cities including Beijing, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Xining, Lanzhou and Yinchuan. Yu Peng, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture, said, "This indicates the rising popularity of African culture among the Chinese people and the stronger aspiration of local governments for promoting cultural exchanges with African countries."

Thanks to the events of "African Culture in Focus" and "Chinese Culture in Focus," China-Africa exchanges are no longer just for officials, but for artists as well. At the end of 2009, Wang Fengying, a folk artist from Qinghai Province, went to Benin to teach local people traditional Chinese paper cutting and how to make cultural industries profitable.

In August 2009, the External Cultural Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Culture along with China Culture Daily organized a My African Story essay contest. By March 2010, a total of 508 My African story submissions had been received. "Contestants are from various professions, and they're telling their own stories of Africa from different perspectives," said Zhang Xiaolan, Director of International Cultural Department of China Culture Daily.

Cultural understanding is important for the development of the China-Africa relationship, Dr. Mamadi Diare, Guinea's Ambassador to China, told ChinAfrica. "I hope there will be increasing exhibitions and performances to enhance the mutual understanding. Knowing a country's culture will lead to a better knowledge of its people's communication style, which is bound to benefit the development of trade and economy in the long run," he added.

Winners' list of My African Story essay contest

First Prize (Winners and Essays)

Qu Fujun China Street in Congo (Brazzaville)

Chen Laiyuan A Generous Insurance Company in Namibia

Zhang Xin President Hu Attending My Chinese Language Lecture

Qiu Bingjun The Oba of Benin

Li Yayuan Seduced by the Rhythm

Second prize (winners)

Huang Zequan

Yuan Daxi

Li Wenru

Guo Yanjun