ISLAMABAD: A cultural gala featuring Chinese and Pakistani musicians and dancers was held to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

The Shaanxi Wenyi Art Troupe, Xi’an City Wall Art Troupe and traditional Chinese orchestra of Xi’an International University performed Silk Road Imagination, Plum Blossom Melody, Jasmine Blossom, Spring, River, Flower, Moon, Night, Dragon Characters, Capricio of Qin Opera, Changa’an Melody, The Banquet and the famous Royal Court Drum Dance.

Pakistani dancers also performed kathak and bhangra dances, while a solo classical dance was performed in the kathak style by Azeem Haidery.

The event was organised by the Chinese embassy, the China Cultural Centre and the Shaanxi Council for the Promotion of External Cultural Exchange to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, the second most important event after the Chinese New Year.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls in September or early October, when the moon is full. It has been observed as a public holiday since 2008, and this year Sept 24 was the date fixed for the celebration.

Addressing the audience before the show, Chinese Cultural Counsellor You Yi said the festival is a day for family gatherings and reunion.

Family members get together on this day to enjoy the full moon, which is an auspicious symbol of harmony and prosperity.

He spoke about Pakistan-China ties and said the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations have increasingly deepened since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

“Let us march forward, hand in hand, to seize the opportunities to create a more beautiful future for our two countries,” Mr You said.

He added that the Chinese nation is one of the world’s most ancient nations and attaches great importance to personal feelings, families, and tradition.

Today, Chinese culture takes root and flourishes in China as well as in Chinese communities abroad, he said.

PNCA Director General Jamal Shah spoke about the diversity of Chinese culture and the increasing cultural ties between the two countries.

He urged Chinese embassy officials to open more cultural centres in all major Pakistani cities to provide an opportunity to the people of Pakistan to understand the great economic and cultural achievements of China.

“Culture is not a luxury but a necessity of life,” Mr Shah said. He also spoke highly about ancient Chinese institutes and about his recent visit to Yannan.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2018