Close to 30 Diplomatic Envoys at FOWPAL’s Family Party
Oman Presents a Certificate for Dr. Hong’s Achievement
In order to celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival with FOWPAL international honorary members and foreign friends, Dr. Hong, the president of FOWPAL, held a New Year gathering filled with oriental cultures at 6:30 pm Friday, February 10, in Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy. The big red lanterns, fireworks and performances of western and eastern cultures attract diplomatic envoys and students from 29 countries including Swaziland, Oman, Solomon Islands, Vatican, Poland, Costa Rica, and Indonesia to spend a memorable Chinese Lantern Festival.
Being together and exchanging news is the major characteristics of Chinese New Year. The lovely Tai Ji Men Lions of all sizes are in the venue. The tea-enjoying area is located around the table with teacakes served. The dinner party starts with a musical play, “What a bright world”. Charge d'Affaires Monsignor Ambrose Madtha of the Vatican plays the big tree in the musical. Together with little boys and girls from different countries, he delivers the wishes of one world. Delegations from 5 continents happily roll the white, green, blue, red and yellow rice glue balls made out of healthy ingredients of sesame, sweet potato and Japanese green tea. The rice glue balls of 5 colors represents the 5 elements in the universe and the 5 continents in the world. Guests of various countries can feel aspirations of one world.
Friends from 11 countries of Swaziland, Nigeria, Kiribati, Fiji, Palau, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Gambia, Vatican, Ghana and Solomon Islands bring performances with their own cultures. The performances in the evening include the Tai Ji Men Lion Performance, rarely-seen Peacock Dance, “Speaking good words” rap, musical of Chinese Lantern Festival, martial art performance, and 24-person group dancing of the south Pacific islands. The cultural exchanges bring energy, spirit and the hearts of all participants closer.
Dr. Hong, president of FOWPAL said in the opening remark: The spring of 2006 has already brought the latest message. Safety and health is the most important. The distance between hearts is becoming wider in the face of fast-changing world. The sincere friendship promotes more sharing among people, more caring, more mutual support and encouragement. Ambassador of Swaziland, H.E. Njabuliso B. Gwebu, said that attending the New Year gathering is her happiest day. She expects to work with other delegations to exert the spirit of Tai Ji Men Lions to deliver the message of love and peace. Mr. Sulaiman Bin Sultan Al-Mughairy, Director of the Commercial Office of the Sultanate of Oman, presented a certification of appreciation in recognition of Dr. Hong's cultural performances in the 35th anniversary of national day and contributions to promoting peace cultures.
