“Mid-Autumn in Poetry — Discover Hebei” Cultural Series Unveiled in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 20: The “Mid-Autumn in Poetry — Discover Hebei” cultural series was unveiled in Kuwait on September 19, beginning with the themed performance “Where Hebei’s Moonlight Meets the Gulf.”

The event was organized under the guidance of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, and jointly hosted by China Cultural Center in Kuwait and Department of Culture and Tourism of Hebei Province. H.E. Yang Xin, Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait; Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, General Secretary of NCCAL; and Mr. Liu Jinhong, director of China Cultural Center in Kuwait, attended and delivered remarks. More than 300 guests from Kuwait’s culture, arts and media sectors, along with Chinese culture enthusiasts, attended the event.

Taking the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, as its starting point and the moon as a shared motif, the event brought together stage performances, intangible cultural heritage displays, tourism promotion and interactive experiences, introducing audiences to Hebei’s cultural traditions and tourism resources.

On stage, the Xushui Lion Dance “Golden Lion Brings Blessings,” the Kung Fu and Lion Dance piece “Spirit of Xushui,” and a Tai Chi performance showcased Chinese Kung Fu and folk traditions. Two Tangshan Piying (shadow puppetry) pieces were also presented: Prelude to Water Melody, drawing on classical Chinese poetry, and Chang’e Flies to the Moon, retelling the ancient Chinese legend of Chang’e.

Kuwait-based performers also took part in the program, adding a local dimension to the cultural exchange. The instructor and students from Ding Institute of Kung Fu gave a Chinese Kung Fu performance, demonstrating the skills students had developed through their training. Musicians performed Chinese and Arabic pieces on the piano, flute and qanun, a traditional Arab string instrument. Singer Catherine Cartanian performed The Moon Represents My Heart in Chinese, drawing warm applause from the audience.

Students from the Chinese-language classes at China Cultural Center in Kuwait also recited works by Chinese and Kuwaiti poets on the theme of the moon, bringing the lunar imagery and emotional expression of the two poetic traditions into dialogue.

Beyond the stage, the venue featured mooncake tasting, displays of Hebei intangible cultural heritage and creative products, Chinese and Arabic calligraphy, Mid-Autumn wish-writing, traditional Chinese games and a “Beautiful Hebei” photo exhibition. Guests wrote festive wishes and took part in interactive experiences featuring Chinese Kung Fu, Xushui Lion Dance and Tangshan Piying under the guidance of Chinese artists. Chinese and Kuwaiti calligraphers also demonstrated Chinese and Arabic calligraphy, writing Mid-Autumn messages expressing wishes for reunion and goodwill.

The HEBEI GIFTS Display included cloisonné, filigree inlay and Fengning cloth paste painting, among other exhibits reflecting the richness of the province’s traditional arts and cultural heritage. The “Beautiful Hebei” photo exhibition and tourism videos featured cultural landmarks, landscapes and tourism destinations from across the province, offering visitors a broader view of Hebei as a cultural and travel destination.

Liu Jinhong, Director of China Cultural Center in Kuwait, said the two-day cultural series would continue on September 20 with “HEBEI GIFTS — Intangible Cultural Heritage Showcase & Workshops” at China Cultural Center in Kuwait. Visitors will be able to view a wider range of Hebei intangible cultural heritage and creative products and take part in interactive sessions featuring Chinese Kung Fu, Xushui Lion Dance and Tangshan Piying (shadow puppetry).

Liu said he hoped the series would bring Hebei’s distinctive cultural and tourism resources closer to audiences in Kuwait, create more opportunities for local people to learn about China and discover “Beautiful Hebei,” and further broaden the scope of cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Kuwait.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), expressed his appreciation to the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kuwait and the team at the China Cultural Center in Kuwait, as well as the organizers, artists and performers who contributed to the evening.

Al-Jassar said cultural events such as the festival demonstrate how culture can bridge distances between peoples, emphasizing that art, history and heritage provide a common language shared by humanity.

He said building genuine bridges, promoting cultural exchange and bringing people closer together are at the heart of NCCAL’s mission. He highlighted the deep historical roots of Kuwait-China relations and the development of their friendship into a vibrant cultural partnership.

Al-Jassar also pointed to similarities between Kuwaiti and Chinese traditions, particularly their emphasis on hospitality, heritage, family and community values. When two countries attach such importance to family and tradition, he said, cultural exchange can make people feel at home rather than like strangers in each other’s societies.

He also thanked the Chinese ambassador and the Chinese Cultural Center for their contribution to the event and wished guests a peaceful and joyful evening.

Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Yang Xin said the Mid-Autumn Festival provides an opportunity to celebrate family, friendship and the enduring cultural ties between China and Kuwait.

Speaking at the special cultural performance, Yang welcomed the guest artists who travelled from China to Kuwait and expressed his appreciation to those who have supported the growing friendship and cultural connections between the two countries.

He said the Mid-Autumn Festival is deeply rooted in Chinese tradition and is a time of joy and family reunion. The festival reflects aspirations for social harmony, mutual sharing and a brighter future, while expressing the universal longing for togetherness.

Referring to the long-standing diplomatic relationship between China and Kuwait, he said mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation have helped drive steady progress in bilateral relations. He added that cultural exchanges have been an important part of mutual understanding, bringing the peoples of the two countries closer and supporting the broader development of bilateral ties.

He said China and Kuwait may be thousands of miles apart, but share common aspirations and values. Quoting a traditional Chinese saying about the moon shining over the sea and being shared by people around the world, Yang expressed hope that the full moon would continue to bless the friendship between the Chinese and Kuwaiti peoples.

He concluded by wishing guests a pleasant and memorable evening and expressing his hope that China-Kuwait friendship would continue to flourish.