While rivers and mountains have long connected Nepal and China, their ties are increasingly deepened through cultural and literary exchanges.
This was evident during the celebration of the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival on Tuesday, where the power of poetry brought together the voices of both nations.
The event, organized by the China Cultural Center in Kathmandu, featured recitations of classical Chinese poems alongside Nepali verses, weaving a literary tapestry that bridged cultures.
Learners and teachers of the Chinese language from the center recited eight classical Chinese poems, all centered around the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions, mooncake sharing, and moon gazing. To mark the occasion, a 17-year-old Nepali student also composed a heartfelt poem celebrating Nepal-China friendship, reinforcing the spirit of unity that the festival embodies.
Dr. Sarbottam Shrestha, vice president of the Arniko Society, which consists of scholars who studied in China, provided an insightful overview of Chinese literature, highlighting the historical significance of the poems presented at the event.
Adding to the cross-cultural dialogue, Nepali poets Bimala Tumkhewa and Momila Joshi, both published authors, recited their works, infusing the event with the rich poetic tradition of Nepal.
Their verses, alongside the Chinese poems, created a unique literary exchange between the two neighboring countries.
Xiao Jiang, the director of the China Cultural Center, emphasized the program’s goal of transcending the boundaries between Nepal and China through the shared identity of poetry. The moon, a central symbol in both Chinese and Nepali poetry, served as a common theme for the evening’s readings, reflecting the deeper cultural similarities between the two nations.
“There are many cultural parallels between China and Nepal. While Chinese people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, Nepali people enjoy the Indra Jatra and other festivals. We wanted to explore these literary connections between our two friendly countries,” director Xiao said.
The audience expressed appreciation for the cultural center’s initiative, acknowledging its role in promoting the art and culture of both nations.
The event exemplified how poetry, like rivers and mountains, can transcend borders, fostering closer ties between Nepal and China.
