Famous Chinese artists gave a tremendous show in Antananarivo on
Sunday evening, which won warm applauses by more than 5,000
audience members.
Senior Madagascan officials, including Minister of Foreign
Affairs Ranjeva Marcel, wife of the Prime, Charles Rabemananjara,
and Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar, Mr. Li Shuli, were present at
the show.
As an expression of gratitude to overseas Chinese community, the
special performance was jointly organized by Overseas Chinese
Affairs Office under State Council of the People's Republic of
China, China Overseas Exchange Association, the Chinese Embassy and
the Chinese Business and Trade Association in Madagascar.
The show, the first in the last 35 years since the establishment
of diplomatic relation between China and Madagascar in 1972, was
divided into two parts with famous Madagascan artists occupying the
first part and the Chinese artists appeared on the second.
Great Chinese artists, including Yang Jiqiang, famous erhu
player, Cheng Zhi, a tenorist, Dong Wenhua, a well-known soprano,
Cai Guoqing, a pop star, Wei Jindong, a first-class tenorist and Li
Ning, a magician who was the only Asian gold winner in Monte Carlo,
showed their talent and arts which were highly appreciated by mixed
Chinese and Madagascan audience.
These artists shared traditional Chinese songs and music with
emotional Chinese audience while the Madagascans, appreciating each
performance, tried to enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Madagascans were especially interested in and mostly
long-awaited Li Ning's magic trick, which led them staring
fixedly.
The show was also organized to celebrate the 35th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two
countries.
The objective of the performance was to extend the relationship
by cultural exchange so as to allow the two countries to understand
each other further.
Madagascar is the first step for the Chinese artists, who
arrived in Antananarivo just after midnight on Saturday, in its
four-nation tour in Africa, which will also take them to Mauritius,
Namibia and South Africa.
The 15-member Chinese delegation is scheduled to leave
Antananarivo for Mauritius next Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2007)