On Triumph Road in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the People's Palace and Martyrs' Stadium, built with the assistance of the Chinese government in the 1970s and 1980s, are located here. Across the street, the Central African Culture and Arts Center, shaped like an African drum, is nearing completion. In the future, it is expected to become not only a new landmark of the largest city in central Africa, but also a new music of China-Congo cooperation and China-Africa cultural exchanges.

As one of the eight key action projects of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Central Africa Culture and Art Center is composed of the cultural center and the National Academy of Arts, including a 2,000 seat theater, an 800 seat theater and a 2,000 student campus of the National Academy of Arts.

Photo taken in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), shows the construction site of the China-assisted Central Africa Culture and Art Center project

Liu Jianjiang, head of the management team of the project design team, Zhongnan Architectural Design Institute, said that during the project, the ideas of the two sides happened to coincide, and they reached a consensus on the project plan soon. Both the governments and peoples of the two countries hope to deepen mutual understanding and mutual trust through the project. We are confident that the project will be built into a palace of cultural and artistic exchanges between central African countries.

The design of the art center reflects ingenuity everywhere. The shape of the core architectural culture center originates from the distinctive African drum and the circular cottage, which is a traditional African residence. Its circular shape also symbolizes unity and perfection and the continuation of China-Africa friendship.

In order to fully implement the exquisite design on the drawings, the design team of Zhongnan Construction Institute adapted to the local conditions, conditions and materials, embedding the local architectural features of the external sun shading and local architectural elements of the hollowed out lattice brick, so that the building is suitable for the local and cultural integration.

The hollow design not only highlights the local architectural characteristics, but also solves the problem of indoor ventilation and heat dissipation. We combine science and art to ensure the maximum beauty and practicality of the building. "Liu Jianjiang said.

Photo taken in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), shows the construction site of the China-assisted Central Africa Culture and Art Center project

The Central African Culture and Art Center project has long been attached great importance by the Congo side. In 2019, DRC President Tshisekedi personally laid the foundation stone for the project. Since then, he has led the government officials to inspect the project and the construction personnel for many times. In 2021, Tshisekedi said during his inspection that both the DRC and China are major countries in culture and art. He believed that the project, when completed, would play an important role in cultural exchanges between Africa and China.

As a witness of many infrastructure projects between China and the DRC, Minister of State and Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works Muvuni is very concerned about the progress of the construction of the art Center and often goes to the project site to communicate with the Chinese people. He said that the Central Africa Arts and Culture Center is another beautiful name card of our cooperation and we look forward to its completion by the end of 2023.

In the golden glow, the construction site of the Central African Culture and Arts Center is in full swing, and the People's Palace and Martyrs' Stadium are in full swing. In the final stage of the project, we will do our best to present the perfect works for the people of the Congo, and make the Central African Culture and Arts Center another beautiful scene in Kinshasa. "Liu Jianjiang said.Editor/Ma Xue