To commemorate the 15th UN Chinese Language Day which falls on Saturday this year, an exhibition titled "The Soul on the Turtle Shell and Animal Bones" kiced off one day earlier in Cape Town, South Africa.
The exhibition aims to deepen the understanding and recognition of different cultures through art.
Over 70 pieces of oracle bone script art, a result of a three-year collaboration between oracle bone script experts, picture book experts, and typography design experts, were showcased.
The works cover a variety of themes, including astronomy and geography, mythology and legends, and the miracles of life and they were presented by 10 young artists from the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
"Very impressed with China's work and the impact of indigenous art and how that indigenous art has impacted how we think today and how we view the world today," said Guy Redman, chief director of Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
One of the visitors came to the exhibition out of her love for Chinese.
"From the movies, I saw Chinese culture, which values wisdom, harmony, and integrity. So, I feel that these values have made me fall in love with China and Chinese culture, and then I feel that it naturally opened the door for me to learn Chinese," said visitor Aluwani Marhungu.
The exhibition also introduced the late Stone Age rock paintings of the indigenous people of South Africa.
These rock paintings, created by the San people, are known for their depth and detail. They depict images of humans, deities, and animals, echoing the heritage of oracle bone script art and emphasizing the significant impact of ancient indigenous art on social development.
"The type of writing that was born here in the southernmost tip of Africa, through this type of art writing does reflect and coincides with that in a distant country of China. So, to have witnessed this and to see the exhibition, rock art in all its forms is something very special," said Elias Links, professor with the Stellenbosch University.
"My father is a South African and my mother is from Malaysia. I was born in Malaysia. And I grew up here in Cape Town. So I didn't really have much exposure to Chinese language and Chinese culture growing up. I get to fall in love with the language that I've been wanting to learn since I was a young child, and it's really awesome," said a local visitor.
The exhibition was jointly organized by the Iziko South African Museum, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, and the Chinese Language Union, and will run till May 5.
S Africa celebrates Chinese Language Day with art exhibition
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
