Kenya’s national library holds Chinese language experience event

Published: April 10,2022

Kenyan people learn to write Chinese characters during a Chinese language experience event in Nairobi, Kenya, April 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

The Kenya National Library Service on Friday hosted a Chinese language experience event, as part of efforts to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.

The event under the theme of “Shining China” was attended by senior officials of the national library, staff of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, students and researchers, with speakers reaffirming the critical role of language in promoting cross-cultural ties. Highlights of the event included enlightening participants on learning basic Chinese language, Chinese poems and songs, Chinese Kongfu and Peking Opera. Charles Nzivo, the deputy director of the Kenya National Library Service, said the Chinese language event took place against a backdrop of flourishing China-Kenya people to people, cross-cultural exchanges.

Language is key to foster bilateral ties between China and Africa in diverse fields like trade and infrastructure, he said.  According to the Chinese Embassy, the Kenya National Library Service last year officially joined the Silk Road International Library Alliance initiated by China, marking a critical milestone in China-Kenya cultural cooperation.  Under the framework of the alliance, the two sides will carry out talent development, digital library construction and joint cultural activities, with books as a medium of upgrading China-Kenya cooperation on libraries.  

Attendees hailed the initiative as one that will deepen cultural and social economic relations of the two countries. Hilda Mwangi, a tourist agent in Nairobi, said when the people of the two countries come together in events like this, deep cultural exchanges take place hence deepening relations. “The songs that we’ve learned, the poems that we’ve done, definitely bring us together,” she said. Justus Kamamo, a Chinese language teacher, was fascinated with his first-hand experience of Peking opera at the event. “For me, it has been such a good event, and I have really enjoyed it,” he said.  

Xinhua