UAE China virtual culture week promotes unity, compassion and creativity

The online event included five days of talks, musical performances and cultural masterclasses

The inaugural UAE China virtual culture week has drawn to a close. Courtesy UAE Ministry if Foerign Affairs and International Cooperation

The inaugural UAE China virtual culture week has drawn to a close, following five days of talks, musical performances and cultural masterclasses.

Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State, commended the success of the online event, and reiterated the importance of cross cultural exchange in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

“My priority is to ensure that we make use of culture to help us get through this pandemic more united, more compassionate, and more creative than ever before. Given what I have seen so far throughout the UAE-China virtual culture week, I am convinced that we will succeed in this regard,” he said.

Broadcast live to millions of homes around the world, the event included a demonstration of Chinese traditional handcraft arts, a Jing opera performance, as well as traditional Chinese dance and a Chinese calligraphy presentation.

The third day of the event was held under the theme Understanding Cultural Differences and Tolerance, and included sessions exploring similarities between the two countries’ cuisines, hosted by Nasif Kayed, an Emirati culture expert.

A Guzheng traditional instrument performance with Amanda Wu & Yujia Guo was followed by a panel discussion between the two performers and Rawhi Abeidoh, a specialist in Middle Eastern instruments, to explore links between Chinese traditional music and ancient Arabic music.

"Currently, the world is faced with serious challenges posed by Covid-19; there are many risks and uncertainties confronting world development. In this context, it is imperative to enhance mutual learning and exchanges between different civilisations so as to achieve tolerance, inclusiveness, mutual-appreciation and win-win cooperation,” said Ni Jian, the Chinese ambassador to the UAE.

The event was organised by Falcon and Associates and Chinese graduates from the Dubai Business Associates programme, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.