Kenyan youth at Chinese fete promote tourism

Beijing. Beijing City in China this week came to life during the first ever Asian-African Festival attended by more than 500 participants.

The fete is a celebration of life in the two continents that blends tradition with modernity, marking the youth’s contribution to the common pool of the world’s culture.

The five-day fun-filled and multi-faceted fete incorporated lively celebration of the richness of African and Asian cultures through a range of activities from Kung Fu martial arts, comedy, cuisine, dance, exhibitions, literature, music, theatre and sports.

Besides live music shows, the full impact was experienced on Saturday night during a gala show where there were short films screenings, fashion shows and networking events.

Chinese organizers said the festival was also a huge boon to the city’s business community.

The festival gave guests a rare opportunity to meet and learn from each other and keep their traditions alive.

Donned in the unmistakable maasai shuka, Kenyan youths are among those that showcased their country as a beach holiday destination, historical and cultural heritage and as a cruise tourism destination, a reputation that has captivated the world for centuries.

“This particular festival showcases communities’ cultures and creativity and is the cornerstone of economic development strategies to attract more tourists. Beijing is a melting point of the world’s culture,” said Ms Xueyi Wang, one of the Chinese-English translators.

Ms Wang said the festival marked an important aspect of Asia’s relations with Africa.

Mr Axel Jesson, a presidential advisor of Gabonese Republic explained that being his first time in China, the event had helped to foster cultural exchange.

“Participating in the first Asian-African festival is an opportunity to serve as an ambassador for fellow Gabonese. (NMG)