"Chinese spacecraft takes my dreams into space" Youth | Africa | Dreams
As a South African university student studying traditional Chinese medicine, I learned during the "Chinese Bridge" World University Chinese Competition that my artwork had won a prize and landed in space... Such a dreamlike experience reflects the inexplicable bond between the black girl Snow and Chinese culture. She admitted, "Learning Chinese and traditional Chinese medicine has opened a window to my world, and now Chinese spacecraft have taken my dreams into space. This is really incredible!"
In March of this year, the Secretariat of the China Follow up Action Committee of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, the Office of China's Manned Space Engineering, and the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Africa jointly held a "My Dream" themed painting competition for African youth. More than 2000 African youth enthusiastically submitted their works. In the end, 10 works of African youth from Algeria, Congo, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Nigeria, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa were fortunate enough to fly into space with the Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft. This is the first time that international paintings have been displayed on the Chinese space station.
"My painting won first prize? Going to board the Shenzhou spacecraft?" Upon hearing this news, Snow was surprised and couldn't close his mouth. As a student in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, she never expected her hobby to soar to the sky.
In the painting "Harmony but Differences" by Snow, a astronaut wearing a gray white spacesuit is surrounded by symbols of the "Five Elements" of traditional Chinese medicine and symbolic elements such as the imperial flower, jumping antelope, and table mountain, which are unique to South Africa, against a blue-green background symbolizing the vastness of the deep sky. Speaking of the original intention of the creation, Snow said, "I tried to connect the concept of traditional Chinese medicine with modern science and space exploration, but I didn't expect this idea to be recognized!"
"The biggest feature of this painting is the combination of tradition and modernity, reflecting the friendly relationship between South Africa and China. As soon as we saw it, we decided to recommend it for the competition." Wu Changhong, the foreign director of the Confucius Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Western Cape University, introduced that Snow has a special love for Chinese culture and actively participates in various cultural activities organized by the school in his spare time.
After seeing Snow's painting, Chief Engineer Eugene Afonte of the South African National Space Agency said, "This is an imaginative and thought-provoking work. Its experience at the space exhibition will definitely inspire more South African youth to be interested in space science. China's innovative space exchange activities in various African countries will greatly promote cooperation between Africa and China in the space field."
Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng said, "Exploring the vast universe is a common cause and dream of all humanity, regardless of race, age, or region. We are willing to work together with all peace loving people to create a better tomorrow. We will bring the best friendship and dreams of children into space, sow the seeds of science, friendship, and dreams on the Chinese space station, and let them take root, sprout, bloom, and bear fruit."
In September last year, the China Manned Space Engineering Office and relevant AU agencies jointly hosted the "Tiangong Dialogue - Shenzhou XIV astronaut crew and African youth Q&A" activity. Youth representatives from eight African countries asked and exchanged questions with Chinese astronauts in space through video link. South African student representative Diyasha said, "This kind of activity is very meaningful, and I also want to work hard like Chinese astronauts to achieve my dreams."
People's Daily