A spectacular celebration of music, dance, and cultural heritage marked the successful launch of a special performance by the Inner Mongolia Art Theatre at the Kenya National Theatre on Thursday evening.
The event was part of the ongoing China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season 2025, a landmark initiative aimed at deepening cultural ties and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The gala was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, attracting a packed audience of over 400 guests. Among those in attendance were high-ranking officials including Wang Lixia, Chairwoman of the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, and Ummi Bashir, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage.
The evening began with a captivating joint performance by Kenya’s Kenbo Mas Halabi Dance Troupe and China’s Inner Mongolia Art Theatre, setting the stage for a rich cultural exchange. The audience enjoyed traditional performances such asKhoomei (the Mongolian art of throat singing), Urtiin duu (Long Song), and Morin Khuur (Horse-headed Fiddle) – all recogniZed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage – immersing guests in the distinct rhythms and melodies of Inner Mongolia.
A highlight of the night was a vibrant display of Mongolian folk songs and dances, transporting the audience to the majestic Hulunbuir grasslands and showcasing the rich artistic tapestry of northern China. An accompanying photo exhibition further celebrated the beauty and heritage of Inner Mongolia, drawing applause and admiration from attendees.
Ambassador Guo Haiyan has praised the cultural season as “a powerful platform to celebrate shared values, cultural richness, and the strong friendship between Kenya and China.”
“These events will invigorate cultural and tourism cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, and inject momentum into building an even closer China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era,” she said.
The 2025 China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season marks the first time the two countries have embarked on such a comprehensive cultural partnership. It follows an agreement by the presidents of both nations to expand people-to-people cooperation and foster mutual prosperity during President William Ruto’s recent state visit to China earlier this year at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
As part of the cultural season initiative, a series of events are scheduled in the months ahead, including a live broadcast of the Great Migration from the Maasai Mara, the Friendship Sports Games, a Chinese Cuisine Competition, an Animation Film Festival, and a China TV Play Festival.
The official programme kicked off last month with a thrilling performance at Braeburn School, with both sides working closely to realize the shared vision of stronger cultural bonds and people-centred diplomacy.
The performances lie at the heart of China-Kenya cultural diplomacy, aimed at connecting hearts, celebrating diversity, and building bridges of friendship between the two nations.
