On 28 October, Mrs. Cai Xiaoli, president of the Asia-Pacific Women's Association (APWA) and spouse of Zhang Ming, Chinese Ambassador to the EU, hosted “Love Knows No Borders” charity and culture exchange event at Résidence Malibran in Brussels.
Nearly 100 guests attended, including elderlies who live in the nursing home, and spouses of ambassadors and female diplomats from more than ten Asia-Pacific countries including Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Mr. Pierre Demanet, Director of Résidence Malibran, said that more than 100 people from all over Europe had taken up residence in Résidence Malibran and the nursing home provided a place for them to make friends and enjoy life. He said that this event would open a window to Asia-Pacific culture and participants all appreciated the heart-warming companionship and the opportunity to learn about the Asia-Pacific culture brought by the APWA.
Cai Xiaoli gave a speech on behalf of APWA in English and French, where she thanked the nursing home for providing a platform to celebrate love and kindness. She said that peace, friendliness, love, mutual help, and happiness are common pursuits of humankind and the goals of the community of shared future for mankind.
Food is an important part of culture while culture shapes the way people understand the world. She said that she hoped Asia-Pacific cuisine, tea art performance, music, and handicrafts would bring happiness to the residents at the nursing home and enable them to enjoy the beauty of Asia-Pacific cultures. At the end of her speech, she wished everyone good luck and best of health.
A show of traditional Chinese culture was also performed, and started with the Guzheng piece Gao Shan Liu Shui. In addition, the spouses of Chinese ambassador and diplomats to the European Union and teachers from the Sunshine School performed Chinese tea ceremony and displayed qipao and handmade Tibetanstyle jewelry. At the end of the event, the guests enjoyed the Asia-Pacific food prepared by the APWA members.
Mr. Pierre Demanet, Director of Résidence Malibran, said that the event provided an opportunity for the residents to “feel the charm of cultures of China and other Asia-Pacific countries”, and reminded people that “love, kindness, and respect for the elderly know no borders”. He concluded that it had strengthened the friendship between Asia-Pacific and European people.
The Brussels Times
