Chinese artists from a Pingtan troupe based in east China's Jiangsu Province perform at the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on May 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

DAR ES SALAAM, May 16 (Xinhua) -- On a breezy evening by the Indian Ocean, the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam became a stage for cultural connection. More than 40 Tanzanian officials, diplomats, and cultural figures gathered to experience Pingtan, a traditional storytelling art from Jiangnan, or southeastern China.

Performed by a troupe from China's Jiangsu Province, the event was more than a cultural showcase and became a heartfelt exchange. The soft dialect of Pingtan intertwined with the melodic plucking of the Pipa and the rhythmic strumming of the Sanxian, all traditional Chinese instruments, drawing the audience into its poetic world.

The evening reached a high point when performer Qian Yanjun sang Malaika (angel in Swahili), a beloved Swahili classic, in flawless Kiswahili. Her rendition stirred deep emotion, sparking a wave of nostalgia and pride in the room.

Moved by the performance, former Tanzanian Foreign Minister Liberata Mulamula joined Qian on stage, followed by Diana Mwamunyange, a foreign service officer, and National Museum Director Adelaide Sallema.

"I have lived in China for eight years, but I have never experienced anything like this," said Mwamunyange. "Hearing a Chinese artist sing 'Malaika' in our language was magical. It reminded me that culture has no borders."

"This event was not just a performance; it was a lesson. It taught me the value of nature, storytelling, and cultural exchange," Sallema added.

"Pingtan is a regional art form from southeastern China that tells stories through music and boasts a history of more than three centuries. It carries the poetic imaginings of countless scholars and records the sweet and bitter flavors of the everyday life of Chinese people," said Chen Mingjian, Chinese ambassador to Tanzania.

"In today's era of multicultural exchange, cultural dialogue acts as a quiet yet powerful bond, not only preserving and promoting traditional crafts but also building bridges for deeper understanding and cooperation," she added.

The performance closed with a standing ovation, but its melodies lingered, which is an enduring reminder that music and stories speak a universal language. ■

A Chinese artist from a Pingtan troupe based in east China's Jiangsu Province performs at the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on May 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

A Chinese artist from a Pingtan troupe based in east China's Jiangsu Province performs at the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on May 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

A Chinese artist from a Pingtan troupe based in east China's Jiangsu Province performs at the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on May 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)