Li Xuda, Cultural Adviser of the China Cultural Centre, Abuja says China will open its market in Nigeria to the West African country to export its art and crafts in the near future.
Mr Li made the announcement on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 15th International Arts and Crafts Exhibition (INAC) in Abuja on Sunday.
The 2022 INAC Exhibition, organized by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is themed “Networking Nigerian Crafts to the World”.
Mr. Li said China was willing to support Nigeria in showcasing its rich culture, arts and crafts to the world and to build stronger relations between Nigeria and China.
“From today they impressed me a lot. I see the beautiful dance, the drums; Music; arts and crafts.
“I see that China will in future open its market to Nigeria so that Nigerian arts and crafts can be exported to China and invite your dancers to perform in China.
“You know, China and Nigeria have similar cultural activities as well as traditional cultural exchanges.
“We have also organized cultural activities like cultural week, drawing competition to learn about our two countries, to showcase their talents and at the same time we will support the cultural events of Nigeria.
“We will build our friendship and make the people of both countries know each other so that our relationship will be better and stronger,” Mr. Li said.
The diplomatic community and several ambassadors at the event also congratulated the Director General of NCAC, Segun Runsewe, for organizing the exhibition, which they described as a unifying factor.
The Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria, David Caraballo, said that Venezuela and Nigeria had similar culture and food and that hosting the exhibition would strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
“It is the fourth year that we have participated in this important international event, organized by the National Council for Arts and Culture of Nigeria.
“Venezuela and Nigeria have strong roots of similar culture, food, history, music and dance, and this opportunity every year is important, especially after the pandemic and after the restrictions of COVID-19.
“In this exhibition we present various Venezuelan products, exportable products such as food products and services as well as products such as chocolate and food for daily use.
“We are preparing to participate in the next Abuja International Trade Fair in October,” r Caraballo added.
Wendel De Landro, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria, pledged his support to Runsewe in promoting the annual event, which he said has been a vehicle for bringing countries and cultures together in Nigeria.
“One of my goals here is to support schools in Nigeria. So we are bringing back from the diaspora to Africa, what we received from the Africans who came across the drum.
“Culture is universal, look what happens when they say come dance, you see everyone dancing.
“The music, whether they don’t understand what they are saying, you see everyone dancing and that is what Otunba is doing by not only bringing unity to Nigeria of different cultures but also from other countries.
“We hope it will continue and definitely every year, I will support it,” said Mr. De Landro.
Twenty-five countries and eight states in the federation participated in the exhibition.
(IN)
