Monrovia, February 1st-February 3rd, 2012—On behalf of Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters, the Art Troupe of Xiamen University led by Vice President Wu Daguang journeyed thousands of miles to give three performances in Liberia taking place from February 1st, 2012 to February 3rd, 2012. The performances were a great success. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the President of Liberia, Joseph .N. Boakai, the Vice President of Liberia and Zhao Jianhua, China’s Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia attended the performance which was held in the capital city Monrovia.

The first performance took place in the university auditorium and the President of University of Liberia, Counselor Li Zhigong from Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Liberia, more than 400 teachers and students from University of Liberia and journalists representing 10 media outlets were present at the auditorium. In his speech, President Dannis expressed thanks to the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia for their contributions to the teaching of Chinese language, dissemination of Chinese culture and its creation of a platform for cultural exchange between China and Liberia, etc. He hopes that the performance given by Xiamen University art troupe may further strengthen exchanges between students from China and Liberia, strengthen friendship between young Chinese and Libyan students and herald a new chapter of cultural exchange. The performance had lasted for nearly two hours. There were not only traditional Chinese folk music performances such as The Flowers Are in Full Bloom and the Moon Is Full and the Beaming with Joy but also the Jasmine, Liu Liu Di Kangding Liu Liu Di Love and Great Unity of Nation dances which were served as examples of national style. In addition, there were also the vocal performances such as the Drinking Song, Nessun Dorma and The Beautiful Grasslands Are My Home as well as martial arts performances including the Poetic Charm of Tai Chi etc. which featured typically Chinese cultural elements. The excellent performances elicited the audience’s praise, some describing it as the peak of perfection. The curtain fell on a successful show to the sounds of cheering and applause. Many Liberian students took to the stage enthusiastically to have photos taken and communicate with performers. The show allowed for Liberian students to gain more knowledge about China’s national music and culture.

The second show took place in the town hall of Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia on the afternoon of February 2nd. A total of nearly 500 seats in the town hall auditorium were occupied. The splendor of the occasion surpassed anything before witnessed. The guests who took in the show were prominent figures from all circles including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the President of Liberia, Joseph .N. Boakai, the Vice President of Liberia, Zhao Jianhua, China’s Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia and Major Mohammed Khalid, the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations special delegation in Liberia as well as the members of Liberian Parliament, envoys of different countries to Liberia, officials of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and representatives from China-invested organizations, among others. The show given by Xiamen University Art Troupe showed Chinese culture to a cross section of Liberia’s people. The audience demonstrated their admiration of the performers from the art troupe with rounds of warm applause. After the show, the President and Vice President of Liberia appeared on the stage to receive the teachers and students in the art troupe. They expressed their thanks to the performers for their brilliant performance and posed for group photos with the teachers and the students so as to mark the occasion. At the reception dinner held after the show, Mr. Zhao Jianhua, China’s Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia said that the show had been a great success. A great many politicians and personages of all spheres attended the show, which comprehensively reflected China’s influence in Liberia and the allure of China’s varied and profound culture. Whilst offering praise, he spoke highly of the positive effect of the performances given by the art troupe in further promoting exchange of folk culture between the two countries and deepening the Liberian people’s understanding of Chinese culture.

On the night of February 3rd, the teachers and students of the art troupe spared no effort in giving a special third performance for the Transport Division of the Chinese Peacekeeping Force in Liberia. More than 200 peacekeeping officers and soldiers watched the wonderful performances in high spirits. The peacekeeping officers also contributed their own meticulously prepared program for the show. The warm atmosphere of the show persisted for almost three hours before the curtain fell. This was met by the applause and reluctance on the part of the soldiers to see the end of the show. Each of the soldiers went up on stage to pose for group photos with the performers. Prior to the show, the performers had made a special visit to the station post to sing songs for the soldiers on sentry duty, a gesture which moved the soldiers deeply.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia made great efforts to prepare for and organize the performances. The Confucius Institute chorus rehearsed the Chinese songs including Meeting in Aobao, Return to Parents’ Home and The Azalea etc. as well as programs such as the song and dance piece Son of Africa which carried deep cultural connotations. These pieces were performed in the three shows. The standard Chinese of the performers and their beautiful dance were the subject of much praise from the audience.