The exhibition aims to promote traditional Chinese costumes. The event is being arranged as a part of celebrations of 2017 Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, ‘Ode to the Moon’.
For thousands of years, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated as the time of year for when the moon is at its largest and roundest and as a traditional thanksgiving for the heavens, earth and nature together with friends and family.
Formerly known as the ‘Reunion Festival’, it’s when people come together to celebrate their family, friends, the earth and nature.
An official of China Culture Centre said that costumes had maintained an important place in Chinese culture for more than three thousand years. Moreover, Chinese costumes are magnificent and colorful, he said.
He said that many dynasties throughout China’s history each had its own unique style of costumes, with styles changing or disappearing as the dynasty changed, declined, or were replaced.
The cheongsam, or Qipao in Chinese, evolved from a style of ancient clothing worn by the Manchu ethnic minority.
During the early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) they unified China and standardised the nationwide costume as well.
At that time, men wore a long gown and a mandarin jacket over the gown, while women wore the cheongsam.
Although the 1911 Revolution toppled the rule of the Qing Dynasty, this female dress survived the political change and, with succeeding improvements, has become the traditional dress for Chinese women.
According to the four seasons and the wearers’ needs, the cheongsam can either be long or short, unlined or interlined, woollen or made of silk floss. The cheongsam displays strong national flavor and embodies the beauty of Chinese traditional costumes. It not only represents the Chinese female costume but also has become a symbol of a traditional oriental costume.
Festival: The 10th round of ‘Samaa’ International festival for spiritual music and chanting, started on Sunday at Citadel of Saladin, Cairo Egypt.
A three-member troupe from Pakistan, led by Akbar Khamiso Khan, a renowned folklore musician from Pakistan, participated in the festival, said a press release.
Khamiso Khan is a popular musician from Pakistan who plays al-goza which is an instrument used in playing folkloric melodies.
Pakistani troupe enthralled the audience with their performance and received well-deserved appreciation.
Performers and musicians from more than 20 other countries including Pakistan, India, China, Indonesia, Romania and Bangladesh are participating in the music festival. The festival is a step towards a long road for peoples and nations to come closer. It opens up new windows of different cultures from across the globe with the art of Samaa “Listening” to penetrate the soul of humanity.
The festival will continue till September 27. A large gathering including members from the diplomatic community watched the performance. It was an impressive show and a message of peace to the entire world through the participation of over 20 countries from across the world with their diverse cultures.
