'Cultural Night' at Chinese8k8 promotion center embassy charms attendees

Hundreds of people from all walks of life got to experience China without boarding an international flight, thanks to a recent event at the Chinese embassy.

A Chinese tea ceremony, dance and folk music, food-tasting, and much more were part of the celebration when the Chinese embassy along with Embassy Experiences, a local organization for professionals in Washington DC, jointly held an open house "Cultural Night" on Jan 12.

In her welcoming speech, Xu Xueyuan, the chargé d'affaires at the embassy, said that Chinese culture is the product of a 5,000-year civilization and is the shared heritage of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, of which overseas Chinese worldwide are proud. 

"The various tokens of Chinese culture represent some basic and time-honored ideas —  people are the foundation of a country; unity between man and nature; harmony without uniformity. These ideas come from our 5,000-year past, and they will provide lasting force for us to progress towards the future," she said.

Xu said that intercultural exchanges increase mutual learning and deepen friendships. She noted that China-US people-to-people exchanges have been hindered by the pandemic over the past three years. But China substantially simplified border-control measures for travelers to China as of Jan 8.

"You are welcome to visit China in the future to experience Chinese culture in person. I believe that you will see an ancient yet modern, an open and progressing country," said Xu, citing Confucius' saying that "how delighted we are to have friends coming from afar".

At the event, a Maryland Chinese Education Institute teacher performed classical Chinese folk dance.

Young artists led by a Washington Chinese National Orchestra teacher introduced Chinese folk instruments, including guzheng, pipa, flute, ocarina, gourd silk, and erhu, and other folk instruments.

They also performed several musical pieces well known in China and the US. The graceful dances and beautiful melodies won sustained applause from the audience.

After the performance, guests gathered around a tea booth to watch a Chinese tea ceremony and taste different teas.

At the painting and calligraphy booth, guests learned how to draw pandas and rabbits with ink and write their names in Chinese names, along with blessings for the Chinese New Year.

The shrimp balls, the mapo tofu, and the rosemary shish kebab, which won the 2022 Embassy Chef's Challenge in Washington DC, were presented at the food counter and enjoyed by the guests. They also tasted Peking duck, spring rolls, shrimp dumplings and Chinese liquor.

Dale, a resident of Washington DC, smiled as he held a slip of red paper with his name written in Chinese calligraphy.

"I have really enjoyed this evening tonight. The meal has been fabulous, the people have been fabulous, and the facilities have been fabulous. It is just a great night," he told China Daily.

Sarah, a 10th grader wearing a red cheongsam, told China Daily that she had studied Chinese language and culture for 10 years. She said that she still remembered her trip to China. "I really like dumplings," she said.

Dmitrii Gudin, a scholar at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was about to feast on different dishes. He told China Daily that his Chinese friends and colleagues often take him to Chinese restaurants.

"I like to explore new cultures, and a lot of my friends and co-workers are from China. So, I am very, very excited to come here and learn more about this country," said Gudin. "I have never been to China myself, but I always want to do this at some point. "

The guests joined the tour of the embassy's public areas in two groups, led by  diplomats. They also saw China's Extraordinary Decade in a New Era, a photo exhibition.

Gregory Bland, the CEO of Things To Do DC, said that "everything was just first class" with the embassy. 

He said he was glad that a wide range of professionals got to experience China and that he could watch people's reactions to the food, the diplomat, and the music.

"You can really see their excitement, and their eyes are opening. That is really the best part of the event,"  Bland told China Daily.

"Regardless of the politics, regardless of any differences, the most important thing, the people-to-people exchange, is the incredibly important thing about what is going on," he said. "Because only through these conversations, through these communications, there will be a better understanding of each other, even if we have disagreements, we do not need to be that disagreeable. 

"People-to-people exchange, learning about culture, learning about backgrounds, show that we are not so far apart. If we became friends, it is just easier to be friendly when we disagree," Bland added.