On September 16, the celebration of "A Moonment to Remember -- Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering" co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and organized by China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was held in Colombo grandly. Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament and spouse, H. E. Qi Zhenhong Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka and spouse, and more than 200 people, including envoys from various countries to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan friendly organizations, and overseas Chinese in Sri Lanka, attended the event.
H. E. Qi Zhenhong stated in his speech that the Mid-Autumn Festival embodies the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese people, passed down over thousands of years. It symbolizes harvest, harmony, reunion, peace, and sharing. “The bright moon rises over the sea; though far apart, we share this moment together.” The moon carries the aspirations and hopes of both the Chinese and Sri Lankan people for a better life. It connects us and draws our hearts closer together, building a bridge of cultural understanding between our two nations.
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China, and the Sri Lankan Poya Day is also an important part of the country’s culture and people’s lives. This event is very important for promoting cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between Sri Lanka and China. Such cultural exchange highlights the traditional friendship between the two countries and their peoples. Today’s celebration is also the inheritance and continuation of this friendship.
The art performance kicked off with the beautiful recitation of a famous Chinese peom about the moon by the students of Lumbini Confucius Classroom. Artists from the Guangxi National Orchestra brought well-known folk songs and instrumental performances such as “Mountain Songs Are Like Spring River Water”, “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon”, “Jasmine Flower” to the guests. When the Sri Lankan traditional songs “Lanka, Lanka” and “Pot Dance” began, the audience clapped and sang along. The whole performance was of poetric and warm atmosphere, conveying the good wishes of the Chinese and Sri Lankan people for the family reunion and the long-standing friendship between the two countries. The event was joyful and lively, with constant applause.
After the performance, the guests also enthusiastically experienced the Guangxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Market and participated in interactive activities such as making moon cakes, making lacquer fans, and guessing lantern riddles.
Nearly 20 local English, Sinhalese and Tamil media including Sri Lanka National Television, Daily News, Daily Mirror, Ceylon Today, as well as Xinhua News Agency, Phoenix TV and other Chinese media in Sri Lanka actively and extensively reported on this event, and local Sri Lankan Internet celebrities and their own media broadcast it live.