Dancers perform during the "Festival of Spring" gala held in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Feb. 17, 2019. A grand Spring Festival gala was staged in Nairobi Sunday night for overseas Chinese and locals to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yan)

by Naftali Mwaura

NAIROBI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mercy Wafula's face radiated with excitement as a top Chinese tenor belted a classical piece during a spring festival performance in downtown Nairobi on Sunday.

The 24-year-old tourism major, who is pursuing a certificate course in Mandarin, was one of around 2,500 Kenyans and Chinese feted with a blend of traditional and modern Chinese music, dance and acrobatics inside a packed ballroom at the Kenyatta International Convention Center.

"I was impressed by the performances that brought out the best in Chinese contemporary art and culture," Wafula said. "The solo artists were remarkable in terms of vocals and stage presence."

Wafula and her friends also savored the powerful rendition of a Chinese patriotic song by a soprano.

"The patriotic song was so uplifting and was a reminder that we should all cherish our homelands even as we seek for opportunities in the diaspora," she said. "I liked the costumes and gyrations of solo artists whose stage presence was awesome."

Kevin Okeyo, a 28-year-old driver, strutted along the pathway leading to the stage to have a glimpse of the artists and take photographs.

"This my second time to attend a performance by Chinese artists," he said. "I was thrilled by the melodies and Kung Fu, even if I did not understand the spoken words."

"It was an uplifting experience that I will cherish in the years to come," he said, adding that he looks forward to attend similar performances with his family.

Singer Cai Guoqing(C) reacts with a local child during the "Festival of Spring" gala held in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Feb. 17, 2019. A grand Spring Festival gala was staged in Nairobi Sunday night for overseas Chinese and locals to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yan)

Watching the performance inspired him to learn Chinese martial art, which requires mental agility and focus, attributes key to the success of his driving career, Okeyo said.

"Like many Kenyans, I have learned about Kung Fu through films, but am proud to watch a live performance by a group of Chinese nationals who have mastered the art," he said.

"I will spare some time in future to try my hand in it," Okeyo said.

The performance Sunday, a highlight of Lunar Chinese New Year festivities in the Kenyan capital, helped showcase the time-honored cultural heritage of an ancient civilization.

Hope Njeri, a 25-year-old cabin crew pursuing a diploma in Chinese language, said she was impressed by the neo-classical lyrics that reaffirmed the virtues of love, unity and patriotism.

"The songs were outstanding and lifted my mood even though I have a limited grasp of the Chinese spoken words. It was an honor to witness a live performance by talented Chinese musicians and acrobats," she said.

Njeri hopes to better facilitate exchanges between Kenyans and their Chinese friends when she completes her diploma course in Mandarin at a Nairobi-based private college.

"Our relationship with China has come of age thanks to cross-cultural exchanges that have been going on and the youth of this country are in a vantage position to promote greater understanding and friendship with the Chinese people," she said.

Martin Ngugi, a 20-year-old high school graduate, held his smartphone to record the action as it unfolded, from his seat in the front rows.

The slightly built youth, who recently enrolled for a Chinese language class at a private college, said sitting through the entire performance was an uplifting experience.

"It was refreshing to watch the solo artists' belt out love-themed lyrics with conviction, pride and honor," Ngugi said.

"I wish I had a better understanding of Chinese language but all in all, the performances were world-class and fit for the occasion," he said.