NAIROBI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhen Arts Troupe on Wednesday evening staged a spectacular performance at Kenya's oldest university's main auditorium that enlivened the mood of the audience.
Josephat Mukobe, Kenya's Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Heritage, Charge d' affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya Li Xuhang and senior executives from Chinese firms operating in Kenya were among dignitaries who attended the performance which included dance, acrobatics and songs.
"Kenya and China have enjoyed cordial cultural relations and we feel honored to host this performance that has enhanced dialogue and deepened our cultural ties," Mukobe remarked.
The event was Shenzhen Arts Troupe's second visit to Kenya after their maiden trip in the East African Nation in May 2008 was a watershed moment in Sino-Kenya cultural relations that have blossomed lately.
The professional art troupe that has performed in many parts of the world electrified their Kenyan audience by staging a wide array of traditional and contemporary Chinese dance, songs and acrobatics.
Invited guests from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds enjoyed the live performance by a talented cast of Chinese dancers, acrobats, opera singers and guitarists.
Shenzhen Arts Troupe staged eleven performances that culminated in an acrobatic hoop-diving, a Tibet dance and a duet by Kenyan and Chinese vocalists who belted a time-honored welcome song in native language, Swahili.
Li said the performance by Shenzhen Arts Troupe reaffirmed the flourishing cultural ties between two long-standing bilateral partners.
"Cultural exchanges are indispensable in our bilateral relations," said Li.
"Today, the Shenzhen Arts Troupe, who visited Kenya 10 years ago, come to this beautiful country again, bringing the best wishes of Chinese people with their amazing acrobatics, beautiful music and dances," he added.
Kenyan cultural enthusiasts said they were impressed by the outstanding performance by a Chinese art troupe, terming it a positive step in promoting people-to-people exchanges and friendship.
"The performance lifted my spirits during a cold evening and I wish the Chinese art troupe visited this country often to entertain our people," said Joshua Musyoka, a security officer.
