Military personnel participate in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

Africa: Chinese Traditional Culture at Togo’s Independence Day! (28.4.2026)

A Chinese traditional culture contingent composed of students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome made its debut as the first folklore group in the procession, marking the first appearance of a foreign cultural contingent in the history of Togo’s Independence Day parade.

A total of 34 Confucius Institute students, dressed in traditional Hanfu and ethnic costumes, held peony-patterned umbrellas, while dragon and lion dance performers moved among them.

The display conveyed sincere festive greetings to the Togolese people and won warm applause and high praise from the audience.

Wang told Xinhua that the presence of “Chinese red” stood out in the procession, complementing Togo’s traditional cultural formations and jointly painting a vivid picture of harmonious exchanges between Chinese and Togolese civilizations.

She added that the performance had become a highlight of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.