A cultural delegation from Wenzhou in East China's Zhejiang province recently visited the Republic of Suriname to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Chinese settlers in the country.
Among the 14-member delegation, singer Yu Minghu from Yueqing, a county-level city in Wenzhou, enthralled audiences over 18,000 miles away with her enchanting performance of the Yueqing folk song "To Birds".
Suriname, the smallest country in South America with a population of 617,000, is a culturally diverse nation located in northern South America. It stands out as the only region in the Western Hemisphere, apart from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where the official language is Dutch. Suriname is known for its rich mix of races, languages, and religions. In a unique recognition, Hakka Chinese is also acknowledged as an official language in the country.
This year marks the 47th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Suriname. Chinese settlers who arrived 170 years ago made significant contributions in areas such as trade, food, mining, and forestry, becoming an integral part of the Surinamese society.
To commemorate the 170th anniversary, a special gala was held on Oct 20, attended by esteemed guests including the president of Suriname, his wife, and the Chinese ambassador to Suriname. The Wenzhou delegation performed various traditional acts, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of their hometown.
Yu's performance of "To Birds" left a lasting impression on the audience. Recognized by UNESCO as a teaching resource in the Asia-Pacific region, this folk song received warm applause and cheers. Yu also collaborated with Surinamese Chinese artist Du Shiyun, highlighting the enduring friendship between China and Suriname.
Outside the event, Yu and her team visited a local elderly care home on Oct 21, sharing their talents with a different audience.
Yu expressed her pride in representing China on this journey and bringing a piece of her hometown's culture to South America.
