Talia Tourism CEO Zhou Dongni Attends Huangdi Hometown Worship Ceremony in Henan
On the third day of the third lunar month, the Grand Ceremony for Worshiping the Ancestors at the Hometown of the Yellow Emperor in the Bingwu Year was solemnly held at the Hometown of the Yellow Emperor Scenic Area in Xinzheng, Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Ms. Zhou Dongni, General Manager of Talia Tourism and Executive President of the China-Saudi Arabia Cultural and Art Association, was invited as a representative to attend this grand cultural event for global Chinese compatriots and gave an interview. With sincere patriotism and nostalgia, she paid homage to the ancestor together with others and shared feelings of hometown affection.
Under the theme of “Sharing the Same Root, Same Ancestor and Same Origin; Striving for Peace, Harmony and Concord”, this year’s Grand Ceremony for Worshiping the Ancestors at the Hometown of the Yellow Emperor is co-hosted by multiple authorities including the People’s Government of Henan Province, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. As a national intangible cultural heritage item, it serves as a major cultural gala that bonds the sentiments of Chinese at home and abroad.
The ceremony site was adorned with a forest of banners and fluttering flags, accompanied by melodious ritual music, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Vice Chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Vice Chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and other state leaders, as well as Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee, Governor of Henan Province and other provincial and municipal leaders attended the event. Together with over 5,000 distinguished guests including overseas Chinese leaders from more than 50 countries across five continents and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, they strictly abided by traditional ritual protocols and sequentially completed nine grand procedures: ceremonial salute in the flourishing age, presentation of flower baskets, hand purifying and incense offering, collective worship of the primordial ancestor, reverent recitation of the worship ode, grand singing of the hymn, ritual music and dance performance, prayer for China’s prosperity, and harmony between heaven, earth and humanity. Through these rituals, they commemorated the meritorious virtues of the primordial ancestor and paid homage to the origin of Chinese civilization.
Ms. Zhou Dongni took part in the entire worship ceremony. Amid the solemn and reverent atmosphere, she deeply experienced the profound heritage of China’s outstanding traditional culture, as well as the sincere devotion and sense of belonging that “our roots lie in China”.
“Whether in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else in the world, my roots will always be in this land of China. Participating in the solemn ancestor-worshipping ceremony here has truly made me understand what it means to ‘never forget where we came from’,” remarked Ms. Zhou Dongni, Executive President of the China-Saudi Arabia Cultural and Art Association, with deep emotion.
“It is a great honor to represent overseas Chinese in Saudi Arabia at this year’s Ceremony for Worshiping the Yellow Emperor. Standing here, I am filled with excitement. No matter whether we are in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else in the world, our roots will always be in this land. The sense of ritual here has truly made me understand what it means to ‘never forget where we came from’.
As overseas Chinese, what we are most proud of is Chinese culture. Standing here today feels like a towering tree returning to its roots, bringing me immense peace of mind.
I hope that Chinese people at home and abroad will unite more closely, wish our motherland prosperity and strength, and may the friendship between China and Saudi Arabia grow even stronger.”
— Zhou Dongni
General Manager of Talia Tourism
Executive President of China-Saudi Arabia Cultural and Art Association
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Aside from attending the ancestor-worshipping ceremony, Ms. Zhou Dongni also joined a delegation of overseas Chinese from 15 countries (including the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others) on a visit to the Henan Provincial Chamber of Commerce for Overseas Chinese. She engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on cooperation and development with fellow overseas Chinese from various nations.
The delegation visited the office area of the Henan Provincial Chamber of Commerce for Overseas Chinese, the Henan Quality Products Hall · Yuqiao Preferred Exhibition Hall, the Malaysia Brand Pavilion, as well as the urban exhibition halls of Careland and Huanggou Liquor, both standing enterprises of the chamber’s executive vice presidents. Through these visits, they gained a comprehensive understanding of Henan’s development platforms for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, distinctive cultural and tourism resources, and high-quality products, laying a solid foundation for future cultural tourism cooperation, business trade, and cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Henan.
Ms. Zhou Dongni expressed with deep emotion: “It is a great privilege to visit the Henan Provincial Chamber of Commerce for Overseas Chinese with the delegation. From Yuqiao Preferred to Careland and Huanggou Liquor, I have felt the pulse of the rise of the Central Plains along the way. Henan is a land of abundance with a complete industrial system connecting the whole world. It carries the profound heritage of Chinese civilization, as well as the resilience and vision of a modern economy. The rise of central China hinges on Henan, and the time is ripe for openness and cooperation. I am greatly inspired by this vibrant land and am willing to build a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Henan to jointly boost the development of the Central Plains!”
As a Chinese enterprise deeply engaged in the cultural and tourism sector of Saudi Arabia,
Talia Tourism
has always taken “spreading Chinese culture and promoting China-Saudi exchanges” as its mission. During this visit, General Manager Zhou Dongni attended the national-level cultural ceremony on behalf of overseas Chinese in Saudi Arabia and visited the Henan Provincial Chamber of Commerce for Overseas Chinese. This not only reflects the patriotism and cultural identity of overseas Chinese, but also embodies the sense of responsibility and commitment of overseas Chinese in Saudi Arabia who “keep the motherland in mind and bond China and Saudi Arabia closely”.
(Images from official sources)