The cultural exchange event "Along the Silk Road: China-Sri Lanka Cultural Experience" was held in Guangzhou on July 6th. Nearly 120 participants from schools, civil service and enterprises attended the event to experience the charm of Chinese and Sri Lankan culture and more importantly to show their support for an education charity program benefiting the two countries.
At the beginning of the event, Mr. Suranga Algewatte, the Consul General of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou, expressed the wish to see the event help people from the two countries understand each other better and draw support for those in need.
The event included a cultural sharing session, which allowed people from the two countries to immerse themselves in each other's culture. With the help of documentaries, photos and dance, two Sri Lankan international students introduced the language, folk culture, food and traditional costumes of Sri Lanka to the participants.
Two Sri Lankan students introducing Sri Lankan cuisine
After that, a Chinese Han costume expert explained the craftsmanship involved in the making of the horse face skirt (mamianqun), a typical ancient Chinese-style skirt for women. A lotus-patterned horse face skirt was then sent to Mr. Suranga Algewatte as a gift, signifying the friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Suranga Algewatte receiving the gift of a lotus-patterned horse-face skirt
The event is part of the "Canton & Sri Lanka International Charity Programme," which was launched by the Guangzhou Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation in 2021. The program aims to address the educational needs of children in Sri Lanka with the support of various parties.
To further support children in Sri Lanka, the event also included a roadshow of the 2024 Canton (Guangzhou) & Sri Lanka Friendship Cycling Tour, followed by a donation ceremony. Over 600 thousand yuan was raised and will be used to support the education of children in need.
The donation for the 2024 Canton (Guangzhou) & Sri Lanka Friendship Cycling Tour
At the invitation of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou, a group of teenagers from Guangzhou will travel to Sri Lanka in July and join the 2024 Canton (Guangzhou) & Sri Lanka Friendship Cycling Tour with their local peers, showing their support for children in need by overcoming the pressure and arduousness along their journey.
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