Chinese Cultural Troupe set to perform in Malawi
As a way of promoting cultural exchange between Malawi and China during the Chinese New Year, an art troupe from China, Sichuan Province Song and Dance Theatre Limited Liability Company is expected to tour the country from January 13 to January 17 2020.
This is the first batch of state-run literature and art troupes, founded in 1953 which underwent pilot transformation in 2009.
The group has several divisions, including Song and Dance Troupe, Modern Dance Troupe, Creation Centre, Stage Art Manufacturing Centre, Arts Marketing and Project Centre, Arts Performance Centre, Arts Training Centre, National Asset Managing Centre with 120 professional actors, actresses, editors and creators, art talents and staffs, two enjoying government special subsidy, one excellent expert of Ministry of Culture, two provincial excellent experts of Sichuan.
It is the first-rate state-run Arts Troupe in China with regional features of Western China and national feature.
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Spokesperson, Simon Mbvundula, confirmed of the tour.
“We are happy to host our friends [artists] from China. Their coming is part of cultural exchange promotion that we believe will grow from strength to strength for the mutual benefit of countries,” Mbvundula said.
The group was expected to jet into the country yesterday with their first performance today at Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) in Thyolo before another performance at Gateway Mall on Thursday morning with the climax on Thursday evening at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Mbvundula said a Happy New Year performance is a well-known cultural brand launched across the globe during the Spring Festival by the Chinese government and that its purpose is to celebrate the Spring Festival, share the Chinese culture and build a harmonious world with their beloved friends all over the world.
According to the Chinese Lunar calendar, the first day of the first lunar month is the Spring Festival, which is also called the Chinese New Year, as it occurs at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
The calendar also indicates that Spring Festival is one of the oldest and most important festivals in China and that it dates back to more than 4,000 years ago.
According to available information, Chinese New Year generally referred to as Lunar New Year globally, is the Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.
The festival is usually referred to as the Spring Festival in mainland China, and is one of several Lunar New Years in Asia.
The observances traditionally take place from the evening preceding the first day of the year to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year.
The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and 20 February 20. In 2020, the first day of the Chinese New Year will be on Saturday, January 25, initiating the Year of the Rat.
