A wide attention was captured on the 28th January, 2023 during the 2nd edition of Small Small Chinese (SSC) in the Chinese New Year online celebration as China welcomes the world to the Year of the Rabbit.
Friends and well-wishers of SSC and China glued on to their phones and laptop to party with the team online as the event captured a series of activities with the theme “Bridge Language Gaps and Promote Cultural Exchange for All”.
The show featured performances from several stars from China and around the world as well as students of Chinese at different levels.
In her speech, Small Small Chinese founder and Cultural Ambassador Mariatu Kargbo aka Maria the Black Perl of China, spoke of her inspiration for teaching Chinese words and phrases.
“We can all learn some simple tools that will help us make new friends,” she said, even telling the participants, “Let’s all learn the words for Thank You (xiexie), Happy New Year (xinniankuaile) and Come On (jiayou)!”
Among the singers appearing were Xinjiang folk artist Guli Xiati, Hu Junming, one of Jackie Chan’s main disciples and France’s Abbe Shushu. Further medleys of One Belt One Road and Let the World Be Full of Love featured multiple stars.
To show how culture can transcend language, dancer Cao Xinyu, DK Dance from Qinghua University, magician Cheng Sanhu, Taiqi Master Liu Suibin and wushu (martial arts) students at the Confucius Institute in Sierra Leone presented their interpretations.
The show also showcased people from around the world who have studied the Chinese language to a high level, including Victoria, Legor and Tina who perform crosstalk with Yan Jiabao.
In a segment on learning Chinese, and in messages spread through the show, we also hear from those who are just starting on their journey. Among the leaders sending their congratulations to Mariatu Kargbo, Small Small Chinese and friends project were Ambassador Wu Peng, Director of the Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs China, Ambassador Wang Qing, China’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director General, Department of Asian and African Affairs, CPAFFC, Professor Jing Man, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone, former South African Ambassador Grant Grobbler, Dr Samantha Sibanda, founder of Appreciate Africa Network and Vice President of ADICNET, Madam Zahra Jidda, President, Commonwealth Society in Beijing(CSB), Mrs. Onike King, Chairperson of the Sierra Leone China Friendship Association (SiLCHA), Joseph Olivier Mendo’o, ACL President and Youth Leader of African students in China.
