The 2026 “Mid-Autumn in Poetry” event, held in conjunction with the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, was celebrated with great fanfare on the 24th at the New Arts Theatre of the University of Colombo.
The event was jointly organized by the China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka, the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Organization, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, and the University of Colombo, with the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group and the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo serving as co-hosts.
The event was jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, the Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism of Zhejiang Province, the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, and the University of Colombo, and co-hosted by the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group and the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo.
More than 800 guests attended the event to celebrate the festive occasion, including H.E. Wei Huaxiang, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka; Mr. G. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; Prof. Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo; Mr. Harsha, Secretary of the Western Provincial Council; foreign diplomats; friends from various sectors in Sri Lanka; representatives from Confucius Institutes (Classrooms) and Chinese enterprise associations; local Chinese expats; as well as faculty members and students from the University of Colombo.
Prof. Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests in his opening address. He noted that the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion and harmony. Bringing this grand cultural performance to the University of Colombo not only offered the faculty and students a rich and captivating experience of Oriental arts, but also built an important bridge to deepen people-to-people connections between the two countries. He wished for continuous progress and deepening of educational and cultural cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.
Mr. G. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, stated that the friendship between Sri Lanka and China enjoys a long and profound history. The Mid-Autumn Festival embodies shared human aspirations for peace, reunion, and a better life. The Sri Lankan side highly appreciates the positive role played by the China Cultural Center in promoting bilateral cultural exchanges, and looks forward to deeper cooperation in broader fields such as culture and tourism, ensuring that the traditional friendship between the two nations remains timeless.
H.E. Wei Huaxiang, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, remarked in his speech that the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival symbolizing family reunions and cherished memories. The theme “A Moment Shared Together” not only conveys heartfelt wishes to family and friends, but also highlights the cultural philosophy of “harmony in diversity” and “appreciating all cultures in harmony.” China and Sri Lanka enjoy close cultural ties. He expressed hope that through this feast of artistic excellence, all sectors of Sri Lankan society would gain a deeper understanding and love for Chinese culture, together building a bridge of friendship across generations.
Artists from the Zhejiang Song and Dance Theatre and the Zhejiang Acrobatic Troupe presented a spectacular visual and auditory feast for the audience.
The opening song and dance Smiling Mountains, Smiling Waters, Happy People portrayed a vibrant scene of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. The cross-genre fusion piece Dragon Soaring and Sea Surging skillfully blended the Suona, Pipa, and the face-changing trick of Sichuan Opera, driving the atmosphere to continuous climaxes. The male solos Wishing We Last Forever and Heavenly Road expressed expectations for reunion and deep affection for the homeland through alternating soft and powerful melodies. The dance and music performance Elegance of Four Seasons seamlessly combined dance, music, and song, vividly recreating the thousand-year-old cultural charm of Chinese civilization.
The magic and acrobatics show Miracle in Fantasy broke the boundary between reality and illusion, delivering joy and blessings to the audience. The song medley Hearts United Across the Seas, featuring Gazing at the Moon and Tea-Picking Dance, allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the warmth and beauty of traditional Chinese culture. The Erhu duet Water Town Tune and Horse Racing complemented each other with soft, lyrical melodies and soaring, energetic rhythms, fully demonstrating the unique charm of traditional Chinese instruments. The ensemble dance Harmonious Beauty brought together the rhythms of multi-ethnic dances, sounding a harmonious melody of cultural integration.
Notably, the traditional music ensemble Maritime Silk Road Symphony presented iconic pieces from both China and Sri Lanka, including the classic Chinese tune Full Moon and Blooming Flowers and Sri Lankan classics The Elephant King’s Procession and Diya Goda Hema Thena. The harmonious blend of wind and string instruments resonated through the hall with the echoes of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, evoking thunderous applause from the audience. The performance came to a triumphant close amid the soulful melody of the grand finale Spring Breeze Sweeps Across China.
Following the performance, guests and performers posed for commemorative photos and visited the Mid-Autumn Food Carnival held on site, experiencing firsthand the unique culinary culture of China.
On September 25, the “Mid-Autumn in Poetry” cultural performance will head to General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, bringing a culture-enriched performance to military personnel.
Major Chinese media outlets including CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, and Phoenix TV, along with mainstream local Sri Lankan media such as ITN, The Daily News, and Sri Lanka Mirror, Cyber World Press covered and reported the event extensively on site.
Cyber World Press –Colombo
