A cultural delegation led by Minister of Culture and Sports, Shewit Shanka, held a series of performances in Beijing and Dingzhou, Hebei Province, from July 21 to 27. The events highlighted Ethiopia’s traditional music, dance, art, fashion, and coffee ceremony as part of the Kin Ethiopia: Ethiopia Rising Culture and Art Program.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing, and Chinese counterparts, the program aimed to promote Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, strengthen people-to-people ties, and encourage mutual understanding through cultural diplomacy.
The decision to launch the program’s first international tour in China coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and China, reinforcing the bonds between the peoples of these two BRICS+ nations. The initiative highlights the commitment to expanding cooperation beyond trade and investment into cultural exchange.
The opening event on Wednesday (July 24) at the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing was livestreamed and attracted a wide audience, particularly among Chinese youth. Major Chinese media outlets, including CGTN, Xinhua, China News, and Global Times, covered the events through interviews and reports, helping raise awareness of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage.
The program also included bilateral meetings with Chinese institutions, during which shared values and areas for future collaboration were discussed. Shakura Production, the main organizer, signed memoranda of understanding with the Beijing Foreign Cultural Trade Association, Shanghai Luohi Cultural Development Co. Ltd., and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Special Committee.
Moreover, as part of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, a tree-planting ceremony was held at the Ethiopian Embassy on Saturday (July 26).
The week concluded with a reception hosted by Ambassador Tefera Derbew, Ethiopian Ambassador to China, who acknowledged the delegation’s efforts and emphasized the importance of continued cultural cooperation between Ethiopia and China.