Beijing hosts grand world races, cultures festival

On Saturday, September 24, Beijing witnessed one of the events that has confirmed the city an international cultural and racial melting pot.

It was the cultural show of the Third Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Chinese-Foreign Culture Exhibition at the Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Residence Compound (DRC), Chaoyang District.

Taking part in the event reminds you of the beauty of variety in cultures, races and peoples as over 35 countries pitched their places in addition to Chinese multiple stands by various companies, service agencies, hotels and government establishments to show their cultural identity. So wonderful was finding out that some countries’ identities were hoisted by Chinese citizens who displayed artifacts, wears, foods and other items of the countries they represented.

The exhibitions included cultural wears, food, inventions, attires, accessories, art work, drinks, beverages, jewelry, and the rest. Also, many Chinese firms and organizations including top hotels were part of the exhibition during which visitors had free recipe samples, shared wines, other drinks, beverages, practiced Chinese paintings, body paintings, had fun and friendship.

It turned out a very interesting and remarkable day that at least six countries from every continent of the world through their embassies and media organization had stands and took part effectively. Among them was the China-Africa Press Centre (CAPC) Beijing and the New York Times.

African countries like Ghana, Egypt, Sudan, Benin Republic and more took part and displayed African foods, jewelry, artwork, wears, and fabrics.

Most notable hotels in Beijing especially around the zone also had their stands. Drinks, food, wears, invention products, art works, gift items and many more featured and were celebrated as parents, youths and children all mixed to make the annual event a success in blend of cultures and races.

At the pavilions, there was a rich mix of races as participants joined even strangers and other visitors to have photo shots that ended in the people asking each other of their countries and exchanging contacts.

Also, many provinces of China, districts and companies had full representation at the exhibitions including the Duty Free Diplomatic Shop in Jianguomenwai, Fangxin 365.com that markets traditional organic foods of the Heilongjiang province of northeastern China, the Qaidam culture of the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai province. Even the famous Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was also there as their medics offered some free preliminary medical tests and made prescriptions.

Other countries like Russia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Poland and Ecuador were present with their cultures to showcase.

Others were Israel, Iran, Venezuela, Croatia Sri Lanka and Spain.

Emewu, senior editor of The Sun Newspapers Nigeria is Fellow of the China Public Diplomacy in Beijing and former intern at People’s Daily. (ikeroyalemewu@yahoo.com)