STORY: Chinese orchestra group performs at Kenya's oldest university
SHOOTING TIME: April 18, 2024
DATELINE: April 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:35
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of banners
2. various of performances
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EDITH OKINYI, Student, University of Nairobi
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BATE CHLORAN LOUISE, Student, University of Nairobi

STORYLINE:

The traditional instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University gave an exciting performance at the University of Nairobi, Kenya's oldest university, on Thursday, winning applause from the audience of students and faculty members.
   
Dressed in elegant costumes, the orchestra group of students showcased their skills on traditional Chinese musical instruments, including flute and drums.
   
Dubbed "China and Africa: Diversity, Beauty and Harmony," the traditional Chinese musical instrument performance was organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi ahead of the United Nations Chinese Language Day which falls on April 20. It was part of the celebrations in Kenya.
   
Stephen Kiama, vice-chancellor of the University of Nairobi, hailed the electrifying performance, saying it injected vitality into China-Kenya cultural ties.
   
"Through the performance by Nanjing University, we became immersed in the understanding of Chinese language and culture which are intertwined," Kiama said.
   
Drawn from diverse faculties at Nanjing University, the orchestra group performed Celebration of Jasmine Flower, Spring Visit to Xiangjiang River, and Charming Africa.
   
As the show concluded, a choir from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi performed the popular lyric "Jambo," a Swahili word for warm greetings, amid an ecstatic reception from the audience.
   
Edith Okinyi, an economics major from the University of Nairobi, could not hide her excitement after watching the entire Chinese traditional musical instrument performance.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EDITH OKINYI, Student, University of Nairobi
"It was such an honor to have such a performance. The performance was marvelous and how they performed those instruments was in their own way, but was unique and specific. It was wonderful. I love how they carried out themselves, how the instrument (being played) together with the beats and how the flow of the music, it was soothing and enjoyable."
   
Bate Chloran Louise, a Cameroonian female student pursuing a postgraduate degree in public health at the University of Nairobi, said the performance shone a spotlight on the richness of Chinese culture that has found positive reception in Africa.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BATE CHLORAN LOUISE, Student, University of Nairobi
"(I was impressed by) the cultural diversity, and most especially with the instruments were used. I was mostly pleased by the traditional flute and also the traditional piano."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)