StarTimes Brings Beijing’s Festival Flavors to African Homes

Read Time:1 Minute, 38 Second

The original culinary series Festival&Food, produced by StarTimes, is now captivating African audiences! With seven episodes aired, the program explores iconic Chinese festivals—including Spring Festival, Qingming, and Dragon Boat Festival—through their signature dishes, unveiling cultural stories behind each bite in compact 10-minute episodes.

Innovative Format, Cultural Depth

Advertisements

Filmed in a traditional Siheyuan courtyard, the show adopts a “one festival, one delicacy” framework. Host Bola guides viewers through dynamic segments: introducing historical origins with archival footage, showcasing food preparation (like zongzi dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival), and conducting taste tests.

Each episode seamlessly blends practical demonstrations with cultural insights—for instance, linking Qingming’s green rice balls to China’s ancestral reverence traditions. The brisk pacing, from vibrant intro animations to on-location explorations, ensures an engaging learning experience.

Culinary Impact: Bridging Continents

Chinese festival foods resonate deeply in Africa. Dumplings symbolizing reunion and mooncakes conveying longing transcend cultural barriers, creating emotional touchpoints. Aired on ST KungFu during prime African viewing hours, the program integrates naturally into family routines. Since its launch, clips have been shared by African cultural influencers, with #ChineseFestivalFood trending across platforms, the program has been featured in multiple media reports across Africa.

Cultural Diplomacy on a Plate

As the first Chinese culinary series tailored for Africa, Festival&Food uses universal food language to bypass linguistic hurdles. The production team meticulously adapts content to local interests—e.g., highlighting “mooncakes” for the Mid-Autumn Festival to align with African symbolism of prosperity.

Upcoming episodes will feature Laba porridge and Lunar New Year banquets, further illustrating China’s philosophy of harmony through cuisine. Since its launch, it has received special reports from media such as .