Ballanta Academy over the weekend organised its International Music Evening at the Bintumani Hotel, in which Confucisus Institute took part in the performance.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone after two years of online teaching and Zoom activities performed for the first time on the Annual Music Festival organized by The Ballanta Music Academy. This auspicious occasion was hosted by Bintumani Hotel Terrace.
In this year’s function, The Confucius Institute presented to us four different mouthwatering performances including “Under the Moonlight”. This performance caught the attention of all present as it was presented using a wind instrument called “Hulusi”. According to the Chinese, this instrument has it originality from Yunan, Southern China. The performance was like listening to a melodious song with a distinct Chinese sound.
The Second performance was “The late fishing boat song” this was also an eye catching solo performance that gives an unmatched feeling of listening to a Chinese string instrument masterclass. According to the performer, this sound is usually in appreciation of a fruitful fishing journey during the Tang and Song times. The instrument used in this presentation was introduced to the audience as “Guzheng”
The third presentation from the Confucius Institute was a solo music called“Thirty Men’s Shop”. The audience were briefed that such music are sang siting at the summit of mountains in celebration of present and past glories. One of the Chinese Native lecturers was enthusiastic in bringing to light the melodious sound from a Chinese instrument called “Suona”.
The final presentation on the night from the Confucius Institute was that which brought the audience to their feet as it was so pleasing to watch.“The Lion Head Dance” as it was called, was enthusiastically performed by some local Chinese Language learners and their Chinese instructor. The dance is normally performed during festivities and this well-orchestrated performance was the talk of the night as all present can’t wait to see more next year.
The success of the evening would not have been possible without the wonderful spirit of support from the performers, both national and international.
The staff of the Academy indeede went the extra mile, and the Academy appreciates of of the performers.
The Principal of Ballanta Academy and she has this to say; she said the event is just a concert, called International Music Evening. The purpose is to showcase and enjoy musical cultures of people from other countries working living in Sierra Leone. We started this in 2001, and have been doing this every year with the exception of the Ebola and Covid years. Its a fundraiser for the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts. Most of the performers give their time and talents voluntarily. The Confucius Institute represents the Culture of China, so that’s why the institute is invited to perform. They have always been very willing and supportive of this event, and we are very grateful to them for this. Their performances are always most enjoyable.
The acting Principal of Ballanta Academy Katty Fadlu Deen said the event is just a concert, called International Music Evening. The purpose is to showcase and enjoy musical cultures of people from other countries working in Sierra Leone.
“We started this in 2001, and have been doing this every year with the exception of the Ebola and Covid years. It’s a fundraiser for the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts. Most of the performers give their time and talents voluntarily.” She averred that the Confucius Institute represents the Culture of China, so that’s why the institute is invited to perform. They have always been very willing and supportive of this event, and Ballanta is very grateful to them for this. Their performances are always most enjoyable.
