03/11/2026
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03/11/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 3: On a night that blended the magic of the East with the essence of heritage, the Crowne Plaza Hotel hosted the event “Chinese Culture Night - Hebei, Once Again” on the evening of November 2, attended by more than 500 people, including representatives of the cultural, artistic and media sectors and enthusiasts of Chinese culture. The event was jointly organized by the Chinese Cultural Center in Kuwait and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hebei Province, China, under the guidance of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Yang Xin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kuwait, Mrs. Aisha Al-Mahmoud, Assistant Secretary-General for the Culture Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), Sheikha Dr. Anooud Ibrahim Al-Sabah, founder of the Kuwaiti-Chinese Friendship Club and researcher in Chinese affairs, and Mr. Liu Jin Hong, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Kuwait, who delivered speeches affirming the depth of cultural relations between the two countries.
Acrobatic and Heritage Tableaux from Hebei
The Hebei delegation presented a rich program combining acrobatics, martial arts and paper-cutting. In the “Dragon Dance on Chairs,” more than 20 wooden chairs were stacked and balanced on a single performer’s head, while the “Ballet on the Blade” amazed the audience with its extraordinary precision in balancing props on the tip of a sharp blade. Wuqiao acrobatics shone in the “Plate Spinning and Diabolo” and “Parasol Balancing” shows, while Cangzhou martial arts presented powerful displays, and Yuxian paper-cutting showcased bright colors and patterns symbolizing luck and happiness
The Hebei delegation presented a rich program combining acrobatics, martial arts and paper-cutting. In the “Dragon Dance on Chairs,” more than 20 wooden chairs were stacked and balanced on a single performer’s head, while the “Ballet on the Blade” amazed the audience with its extraordinary precision in balancing props on the tip of a sharp blade. Wuqiao acrobatics shone in the “Plate Spinning and Diabolo” and “Parasol Balancing” shows, while Cangzhou martial arts presented powerful displays, and Yuxian paper-cutting showcased bright colors and patterns symbolizing luck and happiness
Joint Kuwaiti-Chinese Participation
The celebration was not limited to Chinese artists; local talents had a remarkable presence. The Dance Studio Kuwait presented the children’s ballet “Arabian Nights,” children from the Kuwait Qinghe Chinese Institute performed the song “Honey Baby” in costumes representing Chinese ethnic groups, and the Al- Tamimi Tai Chi team gave martial arts performances. Singer Catherine Kartanyan, who surprised the audience with her strong and melodious voice, excelled with her rendition of “Reflection” from the movie Mulan in both Chinese and English. Wang Yaoyao from China and Mariam from Kuwait recited the poem “One Moon, One Friendship” as an expression of the solid friendship between the two peoples. Students of the Chinese Cultural Center presented the song “Xiao Mei Man” and the traditional sports display “Ba Duan Jin,” embodying the event’s motto that they are not only learning culture, but also sharing it.
The celebration was not limited to Chinese artists; local talents had a remarkable presence. The Dance Studio Kuwait presented the children’s ballet “Arabian Nights,” children from the Kuwait Qinghe Chinese Institute performed the song “Honey Baby” in costumes representing Chinese ethnic groups, and the Al- Tamimi Tai Chi team gave martial arts performances. Singer Catherine Kartanyan, who surprised the audience with her strong and melodious voice, excelled with her rendition of “Reflection” from the movie Mulan in both Chinese and English. Wang Yaoyao from China and Mariam from Kuwait recited the poem “One Moon, One Friendship” as an expression of the solid friendship between the two peoples. Students of the Chinese Cultural Center presented the song “Xiao Mei Man” and the traditional sports display “Ba Duan Jin,” embodying the event’s motto that they are not only learning culture, but also sharing it.
Honoring and Live Experience
The evening witnessed the honoring of 9 students who passed the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), winners of the 2026 Global Chinese Recitation Competition, and student Salman, who won the title of “Little Cultural Ambassador” from the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Away from the stage, visitors lived the experience themselves by trying paper-cutting, basic martial arts movements and diabolo, in addition to exhibitions of Chinese painting and calligraphy, tasting sweets and participating in traditional games.
The evening witnessed the honoring of 9 students who passed the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), winners of the 2026 Global Chinese Recitation Competition, and student Salman, who won the title of “Little Cultural Ambassador” from the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Away from the stage, visitors lived the experience themselves by trying paper-cutting, basic martial arts movements and diabolo, in addition to exhibitions of Chinese painting and calligraphy, tasting sweets and participating in traditional games.
Ongoing Workshops
The program continues today, November 3, with two intangible heritage workshops titled “Gifts of Hebei” at the Chinese Cultural Center, including paper-cutting, martial arts and diabolo with handson activities. Tomorrow, November 4, the workshops will move to the American University of Kuwait (AUK) to enhance exchange between students and Hebei artists. This program confirms that culture is a bridge linking China and Kuwait, and that continuous exchange contributes to deepening mutual understanding and strengthening friendship between the two peoples.
The program continues today, November 3, with two intangible heritage workshops titled “Gifts of Hebei” at the Chinese Cultural Center, including paper-cutting, martial arts and diabolo with handson activities. Tomorrow, November 4, the workshops will move to the American University of Kuwait (AUK) to enhance exchange between students and Hebei artists. This program confirms that culture is a bridge linking China and Kuwait, and that continuous exchange contributes to deepening mutual understanding and strengthening friendship between the two peoples.
By Bassam Al-Qassas Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
