MAPUTO, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at Mozambique's Eduardo Mondlane University held a cultural event on Thursday in Maputo to celebrate China's traditional Dragon Boat Festival.
The event, which attracted teachers, students, and local residents, featured a range of traditional Chinese cultural activities, including sachet-making, lacquer fan crafting, wrapping zongzi, five-color thread weaving, and pitch-pot games.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Zheng Xuan said that the Dragon Boat Festival embodies the rich heritage of Chinese civilization, reflects enduring values of harmony, and expresses people's shared aspiration for a better life.
Zheng also expressed hope that the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival would help Mozambican people better understand China, promote exchanges between Chinese and Mozambican civilizations, and inject lasting momentum into building a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.
Mohsin Mahomed Sidat, vice rector of Eduardo Mondlane University, said the Dragon Boat Festival is an important traditional festival with deep historical and cultural roots. Customs such as dragon boat racing, eating zongzi, and wearing sachets not only showcase the unique appeal of Chinese culture but also embody the values of unity, cooperation, and friendship.
As a platform for Chinese language teaching and cultural exchanges in Mozambique, the Confucius Institute at Eduardo Mondlane University provides an important opportunity for Mozambican youth to learn about traditional Chinese culture and experience its richness firsthand. ■