The eighth Happy Chinese New Year - Chinese Cultural Week started in Cabo Verde on Jan 24, 2020 and ran until Feb 1 with the cooperation of CICA and the Cape Verde China Friendship Association.

The event took place in the capital city Praia on the island of Santiago, Mindelo on the island of São Vicente and São Filipe and Santa Catarina on the island of Fogo, making its first time being held in four cities. A series of cultural and artistic activities caught local people's eyes, such as the Chinese New Year Gala, "Belt and Road" exhibitions and forums, a "Study in China" speech, Chinese movie screenings, a football competition, 60-second Chinese shows and Cabo Verde's television programs about Chinese cuisine and Cultural Week.

CICA invited two Chinese dancers as cultural volunteers to train local art troupes in Chinese dancing, and also sent two actors for cultural week performances.

Chinese New Year Gala in Cabo Verde

The highlight of the Cultural Week - "Chinese New Year Gala in Cabo Verde" was inaugurated at Cabo Verde National Auditorium on Jan 25, 2020. 10 art troupes from China and Cabo Verde brought audiences a splendid cultural spectacle. The auditorium was packed with more than 500 representatives from all walks of life.

With eye-catching programs, the well-prepared gala was a complete success, reflecting the richness of Chinese culture and promoting communication between China and Cabo Verde.

"Belt and Road" Exhibition and Forum

The "Belt and Road" exhibition ran from Jan 26 to Feb 1 at the Square of São Filipe on the island of Fogo, sharing the concept and progress of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese culture and history, important historical people and China’s lunar new year as well as economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and Portuguese-speaking countries.

In addition, a "Belt and Road" forum was also held successfully for staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cabo Verde, discussing the importance of this initiative in terms of promoting cooperation between China and Cabo Verde. Zhou Fuqiang, dean of Confucius Institutes in Cabo Verde, discussed the concept and development of the Belt and Road Initiative and put forward some specific measurements for promoting cooperation under this initiative. Anna from the Cape Verde China Friendship Association also presented survey results of the Chinese diaspora in Cabo Verde. All participants shared opinions and contributed greatly to discussions in the forum.

The eight-day Chinese Cultural Week gained great attention from all walks of life in Cabo Verde. Numerous local media and Cabo Verde-based media reported on the Cultural Week, including Cabo Verde TV, Cabo Verde Radio, Record (Brazil TV), Tiver (Cabo Verde Private TV), Asemana, Exprersso das llhas, Inforpress and Sapo (Portugal).

The Cultural Week has become one of the indispensable activities in Cabo Verde every year, and it is an important platform for communication between the two peoples.