JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Some Chinese arts experts on Tuesday joined South Africans in commemorating Heritage Day by displaying their art work and craft in Johannesburg.
South Africans commemorate Heritage Day every year on Sept. 24 in which they appreciate diverse culture, food and songs of people living in the country.
The Chinese experts showed Chinese culture, art and craft by making different items using needles and other utensil. They also displayed their intangible cultural heritage by showcasing marionette show among other artwork.
"This is part of commemorating Heritage Day with South Africans and others in the continent," said Peng Yi, director of Confucius Institute at the University of Johannesburg. She said Chinese and South Africans are appreciating each others culture. "We are learning and celebrating our cultural diversity."
Nazime Randera, manager at Witwatersrand Junction where university students live, said they are happy to host the event.
"We have different cultures but all belong to the human race.I am seeing some similarities in what the Chinese do with us in embroidery, stone work, art work, bead work and even statues. This shows the universality of the human race. This shows the uniqueness of human race in the world," said Randera.
He stated that the event is required for the students to learn and appreciate the skills and expertise which was displayed and it is also good for people to know each other and fight xenophobia.
Abdul Ganiyu Sanusi, a Nigerian student studying at Witwatersrand University, said he was impressed by the expertise of the Chinese.
"It was important for the people from different countries to know about each other and unite in their diversity," said Sanusi.
"Events like these one are important to appreciate beauty of different cultures, food from different places. It was a great experience to watch some displays from the Chinese people. I enjoyed the artwork and how the Chinese man drew my face within a few minutes," Sanusi added.
