Chinese Percussion Ensemble entertains Gambians

Hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia, the event also witnessed series of electrifying dance performances featuring thrilling acts by Gambia’s girl-dance group -Flex Fuzion Dance Group.

As one of China’s rare ensembles focused on developing, preserving and innovating Chinese percussion art, SEPE primarily consists of faculty and students from the Department of Chinese Musical Instruments percussion programme at CCOM.

Founded in 2019 at the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM), Strikeast Percussion Ensemble (SEPE) is a premier Chinese Chamber music collective rooted in contemporary Chinese artistic culture.

Since its inception, SEPE has achieved remarkable accolades, including selection for the "7th National Youth Traditional Instrument Education and Teaching Achievements Exhibition" (National Arts and Culture Award), first prize at the Soong Ching Ling Foundation’s "Peace Angel Arts Award," first place in the professional ensemble category at the Beijing Drum Festival, and top honors at the Hong Kong Drum Festival

In his opening remarks, Zhao Shangsen, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in The Gambia, spoke highly of the electrifying musical extravaganza, further expressing his excitement that they were able to put this together for the great people of The Gambia. 

The music performance, he said, could not have been possible without guidance and strong support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. 

"Thanks should also go to the National Center for Arts and Culture, The Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, The Gambia Radio & Television Service, the Flex Fuzion Entertainment, the Gambian Kungfu wushu Federation and The Gambia Music Store. Thank you for your contribution."

Chargé d'Affaires Shangsen recalled that two years back, in Beijing, about the same time, President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Xi Jinping, proposed the Global Civilization Initiative.

"Under the initiative, President Xi called for respect for diversity of civilizations, and jointly advocating robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Tonight, with joint efforts from both China and The Gambia, we are doing just that."

He equally made reference to the theme of the Gambia’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, ‘Marching in Solidarity for Self-Reliance and National Development’ urging all to drum in solidarity for self-reliance and national development of The Gambia!

"Let’s drum in Solidarity for the friendship of the great peoples of China and The Gambia"

Also speaking, Sheikh Omar Bittaye, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Tourism and Culture, acknowledged that few days ago, the percussion group from Beijing arrived in the Gambia on a four-day cultural exchange programme.

That, he said, is indeed one of the great highlights of the very strong diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Gambia and the People’s Republic of China.

"As you know, the two countries have had a very rich and very close diplomatic relations dating to the 1974s except for a brief period in the second republic when it was severed but later re-established in 2016; the Gambia and China have continued to be good friends. The presence of the Chinese Cultural Delegation exemplifies the very strong relations between the two countries. This is truly cultural diplomacy at its best. I am sure during this event; all of us here will be able to achieve a lot. For example, we will be entertained by the rich Chinese culture of percussion and dance, we will be entertained by the rich Gambian culture of dance and percussion but we will also be informed by the the cultural and traditional musical heritage that we have in common." 

He underscored the importance of using culture to strengthen ties between countries, adding that cultural exchange promotes people-to-people relationship which is indeed very important.