Chinese and Namibian cultures took centre stage in Windhoek as music, traditional games, dance and food brought people from both countries together.
The China-Namibia Culture Fair, hosted by the Chinese Embassy with support from Namibia’s Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), was held as part of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The event created an opportunity for participants to experience each other’s traditions while strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between China and Namibia.
Traditional Chinese games attract visitors
For many visitors, the cultural fair became more engaging as they took part in traditional Chinese games.
Christian Angula, one of the participants, said he was initially unsure about attending the event.
He tried cuju, an ancient Chinese ball game, and attempted to kick the ball through a small goal opening.
Visitors also participated in touhu, a traditional game that involves throwing arrows into narrow-necked vessels.
Chinese participants, meanwhile, introduced Namibian visitors to jianzi, a game that involves keeping a feathered shuttlecock in the air using the feet.
Other activities included fan painting, opera mask painting, lantern riddles and a chopstick challenge to pick up ping-pong balls.
Participants collected stamps in activity “passports” and exchanged them for prizes.
Students use the event to practise Chinese
The fair also provided an opportunity for university students studying Chinese to practise their language skills outside the classroom.
Elizabeth, a student from the University of Namibia, described the experience as “exciting, wonderful, and amazing.”
Her fellow student, Constancia, said their lecturer encouraged them to attend the event.
“It’s really nice interacting with the Chinese people, and we get to practice what we’ve learned directly with them,” she said.
Officials highlight importance of cultural exchange
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of MEIYSAC, Executive Director Erastus Mbumba Haitengela said cultural exchange can contribute to education and social cohesion.
“The event provides a wonderful illustration of the power of cultural exchange,” he said.
He noted that the programme brought together Chinese opera artists and traditional musicians with Namibian performers, schools and higher education institutions.
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping also highlighted the role of cultural exchanges in strengthening understanding between communities.
“We believe cultural exchanges can help people from different countries and communities understand one another,” Zhao said.
“Through such exchanges, people of different cultural backgrounds come to know, respect, appreciate and learn from each other,” he added.
China supports Namibian writers’ initiative
During the event, Zhao announced that the Chinese Embassy would make an initial donation to support Namibia’s planned Authors and Writers Award Initiative.
The initiative is aimed at promoting reading, writing, research and creativity in Namibia.
Zhao said the embassy would continue to provide support, within its capacity, to projects that contribute to the development of Namibia’s cultural sector.
Culture fair strengthens China-Namibia ties
As the event drew to a close, cultural performances and activities gave way to a shared meal.
The organisers said the gathering further strengthened friendship, cultural exchanges and bilateral engagement between China and Namibia.
The event also demonstrated how cultural programmes can create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to interact, learn from one another and build stronger connections.
