"Moonlight" Brings Together Chinese and Kuwaiti Heritage
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the country and the Chinese Cultural Center celebrated the approaching Mid-Autumn Festival through an artistic and cultural evening titled “When the Light of Hebei’s Moon Meets the Gulf.” The event featured artists from Hebei Province, China, alongside Kuwaiti artists, creating a tableau that united both heritages on a single stage and fostered a cultural atmosphere reflecting the depth of Kuwaiti-Chinese friendship.
The evening was attended by Dr. Muhammad Al-Jassar, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, along with various dignitaries and guests. The Chinese artists presented performances of Hebei Province’s intangible cultural heritage, including the Lion Dance, Wushu arts, and shadow puppet theater.
In his address at the event, Yang Shen, the Chinese Ambassador to the country, emphasized that the Mid-Autumn Festival is an occasion for joy and family reunions, embodying values of harmony, sharing, and optimism for a brighter future. He noted that these values reflect a cultural and humanistic alignment between the Kuwaiti and Chinese peoples.
Yang Shen welcomed the artists arriving from Hebei, expressing his appreciation for all those contributing to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cultural ties between the two countries. He pointed out that civilizational and cultural exchange has always been a vital bridge for mutual understanding and bringing the two peoples closer together.
He stated that diplomatic relations between China and Kuwait span 55 years, during which relations have steadily developed across various fields, grounded in the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. He affirmed that cultural exchanges represent the “lifeblood” of bilateral relations.
He highlighted that the evening showcased a distinctive aspect of Hebei Province’s cultural heritage through the Lion Dance, Kung Fu, and shadow puppet theater. He expressed his country’s aspiration to broaden the horizons of cultural cooperation and open new channels to bring the two peoples closer.
He concluded by saying, “Thousands of miles may separate China and Kuwait, but tonight we share the same moonlight,” citing an ancient Chinese poem: “The moon rises above the sea, and all across the world share this beautiful moment.” He wished for the China-Kuwait friendship to endure forever.
For his part, Al-Jassar affirmed that culture has the power to build bridges of communication between peoples, regardless of distance. He expressed his appreciation for the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese Cultural Center, the artists, and the organizers who enriched the evening.
He noted that Kuwaiti-Chinese cultural relations are rooted in deep foundations, pointing out that in Arab heritage, the moon is a symbol of hope, guidance, and warmth, while the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture represents harmony, perfection, and family.
Liu Jinhong, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center, stated that the event is part of the series “Mid-Autumn in Poetry: Discover Hebei.” He confirmed that the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional Chinese holidays, linked for centuries to family reunions and the exchange of wishes for a better life.
He emphasized that differences in language and culture do not prevent the sharing of the same human emotions, considering this to be the essence of cultural exchange, which enables peoples from different places to understand one another through shared values and feelings.
