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06 May 2008 – The 1st
Nanyang Art and Food Festival was held in Xiamen from 01 to 03 May 2008. The
festival was timed to coincide with the May Labor holidays of China to ensure
maximum exposure and attendance. It was the first event co-organized by the
diplomatic missions in Xiamen, namely the  Philippine
Consulate General, the Singapore Consulate General, and the Royal Thai Consulate
General, all representing countries from Southeast Asia. The festival aimed to
introduce to Xiamen the arts,
culture, and cuisine of the Philippines, Singapore
and Thailand and consequently foster friendship and
cooperation between
Xiamen and these countries. The art exhibit, entitled the “Colorful Arts of
Nanyang” was held at the Xiamen Culture and Art Center, while the food exhibit,
the “Nanyang Food Festival”, at the SM Xiamen. Fujian Province Vice Governor
Hong Jie Xu and Xiamen City Mayor Liu Ci Gui and other high-ranking government
officials and dignitaries delivered congratulatory remarks and cut the
ceremonial ribbon for both exhibits of the festival.
For the art exhibit,
Thailand showcased oil paintings, traditional silk paintings, wood carvings, and
miniature art pieces with the artists demonstrating their skills on the spot.
Singapore exhibited Chinese brush paintings and photography of its Fujian-based
artists. The Philippines showcased the paintings from the world-renowned Blanco
Family, whose artists span three generations, and the oil paintings of Fujian-based
Filipino artists. Five members of the Blanco family and the Fujian-based
Filipino artists were on hand during the exhibit.
 The
food exhibit at SM featured restaurants in Xiamen
showcasing the cuisine for each country. Food
producers from the
three countries also participated to promote or introduce their products to the
local market. Cooking demonstrations and free sampling were conducted by some
of the participants with featured items sold at promotional rates. Liwayway
(China) Co. Ltd., makers of Oishi snacks, launched their “chips in
canisters” and offered a nationwide raffle contest of 100 free trips to Boracay.
The company also gave away gift packs throughout the duration of the festival.
Performances were
rendered daily by cultural groups from the three countries in both venues. The
Manila Xiamen International Cultural Group presented a well-received medley of
traditional dances and songs further heightening awareness about Philippine
culture.
The idea of the
 festival
casually came about during a meeting among the three consuls general, which
quickly gained the support of the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government through
its Foreign Affairs Office which generously offered to co-organize the event
along with the Xiamen Cultural Bureau and the Xiamen Culture and Art Center.
The reference to “Nanyang,” which translates literally into “South Ocean,” is an
old term for countries situated in the area of today’s Southeast Asian
countries. Ties between Fujian and “Nanyang” countries started in earlier years
when large numbers of Fujianese crossed the “South Ocean” and migrated to the
Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Today, many of the citizens of these
countries trace their ancestry to Fujian.
The festival was highly successful receiving both print and
television coverage before and during the event with provincial and city
television stations and dailies conducting extensive interviews of the Blancos.
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