On March 24, local time, the Jiachen Year UK Chinese Community Ceremony Honoring Emperor Xuanyuan was held in London's Chinatown.
Approximately 300 representatives from UK-based Chinese associations, chambers of commerce, and various sectors gathered for the event. Under the theme of "Shared Roots, Shared Ancestry, Shared Origin; Peace, Harmony, and Unity," the ceremony included a series of traditional rituals such as "Dragon and Lion Performances, Floral Tributes, Purification and Incense Offering, Ancestral Worship, Recitation of Memorial Texts, Singing Hymns, Musical and Dance Tributes, Prayers for China, and Unity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity."
Liu Hongmei, Counsellor for Overseas Chinese Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the UK, delivered an opening speech, warmly congratulating the successful ceremony on behalf of the embassy. She encouraged overseas Chinese and friends in the UK to continue serving as ambassadors of Chinese culture, narrators of China's stories, promoters of mutual cooperation, and facilitators of Sino-British friendship. Liu expressed her hope that the community would contribute to the realization of the Chinese Dream and play a greater role in fostering stable and healthy Sino-British relations.
Deng Zhuting, Chairman of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, emphasized that Emperor Xuanyuan's legacy is an integral part of Chinese culture, embodying wisdom, courage, and inclusivity. He noted that these values inspire generations of Chinese people and provide enduring strength for the nation.
"In the diverse cultural landscape of the UK, honoring Emperor Xuanyuan is not only a way to remember our ancestors and preserve our heritage but also to share the profound essence of Xuanyuan culture and the vision of harmony and unity among the Chinese people with the world. Through this event, we hope to help more people appreciate the spirit of Emperor Xuanyuan and the boundless charm of Chinese culture, further promoting Sino-British friendship and cultural exchange."
Dignitaries including Liu Hongmei, Deng Zhuting, Cheng Jian (Head of Phoenix TV Europe), Jiao Jiangong (Chairman of the UK Xuanyuan Culture Innovation and Development Foundation), Ren Xiang (Chairman of the China-UK Technology Innovation Platform), and Ye Yuwei (Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London), presented floral tributes at the ceremony.
Zhu Xiaojiu, granddaughter of patriotic general Zhang Zhizhong and president of the UK-China Lawyers Association, served as the main officiant, leading the recitation of the memorial text with distinguished guests.
Du Yutong, President of the China-UK Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Association and Director of the China-UK New Media E-Commerce Center, collaborated with multiple influencers to produce a short video series titled "Xuanyuan Culture Goes Global." These videos garnered over 5 million views and were shared by more than ten media outlets.
Wang Beibei, President of the UK-China Performing Arts Association, joined over twenty children from the London Mandarin School to perform "Hymn to Emperor Xuanyuan." Their clear voices and heartfelt melody filled the venue, expressing the overseas Chinese community's reverence and remembrance for their ancestor.
At the ceremony's conclusion, guests poured grains into a vessel symbolizing "Unity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity," signifying "abundant harvests and universal harmony." The gesture conveyed the UK Chinese community's heartfelt wishes for the prosperity of their homeland.
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