The 2026 Shandong-Africa Cultural Carnival commenced in Jinan, China, on August 4, launching a weeklong celebration of cultural dialogue under the theme “Harmony of Mountains and Seas, A Shared blend of Beauty.” The event, a cornerstone of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, drew diplomatic envoys, cultural professionals, and artists from 23 African nations, including Somalia and Angola, to the City of Springs.
His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho and Queen Masenate attended the opening ceremony, underscoring the high-level diplomatic significance of the gathering. The carnival was co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government, with organization led by the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province.
Central to the program are the “Great Rivers, Great Lands” Shandong-Africa Art Dialogue Exhibition and the Shandong-Africa Treasures Bazaar. The exhibitions showcase intangible cultural heritage handicrafts from Shandong alongside traditional African crafts, ecological photography from both regions, and collaborative artworks by young creators from China and Africa. Artisans from both sides conducted live demonstrations, highlighting distinct cultural identities and shared creative spirit.
At the bazaar, Egyptian papyrus paintings, Mauritian handwoven creations, and Shandong’s Fuli earthenware were displayed side by side. Visitors participated in hands-on heritage workshops, tried on African attire, and engaged in direct exchanges with African creators, fostering interpersonal connections beyond formal Diplomacy.
During the opening ceremony, ten Shandong-Africa cultural cooperation projects were formally unveiled, spanning museums, cultural Tourism, and archaeology. These agreements aim to translate cultural goodwill into structured, long-term partnerships.
Beyond Jinan, the delegation will travel to Weifang and Yantai to explore intangible cultural heritage sites and coastal tourism resources. Organizers emphasized that the carnival uses culture as a bond to deepen mutual understanding, opening tangible and implementable pathways for sub-national cooperation between China and Africa.
The event was organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee. Media inquiries can be directed to Ms. Zhang at +86-10-63074558.