The 5th Nanyang Culture Festival held its opening ceremony on 22 April 2016, Friday, at the Performance Hall, Media Mansion, Xiamen Media Group, highlighted by lively performances by troupes from the ASEAN-member countries (The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) as well as local artists from the Xiamen Little Egrets Folk Dance Troupe and Chinese Language and Culture College, Huaqiao University.
The Philippines was represented by “The Nightingales” accompanied by violinist Mr. John Christopher Joya who rendered a powerful and engaging medley of Philippine folk songs in eight (8) major Philippine dialects. The Festival served as the Nightingales’ international debut as a duo, undoubtedly a smashing success! The Philippine troupe, being the only participating singing group, showcased their vocal and instrumental prowess which endeared them to the big crowd of ASEAN dignitaries, special guests and contacts of the organizers, media, among others.
Xiamen Mayor, Mr. Pei Jinjia, welcomed and expressed appreciation to the Festival’s distinguished and special guests for gracing and witnessing the cultural performances of the opening ceremony. He cited that 2016 marks the 25th Anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations giving great importance to the staging of the 5th Nanyang Culture Festival. He stressed that the Festival garners more and more attention with Xiamen being able to pursue closer and active exchanges with connectivity between Xiamen and ASEAN countries with the operation of more airlinks and rail services.
The opening ceremony was supported by the Publicity Department of CPC Xiamen Committee and Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Film Press and Publication, and Xiamen Media Group. The program was televised by Xiamen TV (CCTV 3), which was subsequently aired on local TV last April 30.
The Consulate General’s media contacts, Chinatown TV and CRI-Filipino Service, also covered the event.END
