Delegation of Nanais leaves for Chinese town of Tongjiang to attend festival of Nanai culture

On Tuesday a representative delegation of the Nanai minority who are living in Khabarovsk Territory of Russia left for the Chinese town of Tongjiang where a festival of the Nanai people's culture will be held between Wednesday and Saturday, said Ivan Beldy, Chairman of the Council of Deputies of the Nanai National District.

"Our people number about 10,000," said Beldy. "Since old times, our ancestors who were huntsmen and fishermen, have been living on the banks of the Amur River two decades ago, when friendly and economic ties began to be established between Russia and China and an intensive exchange of delegations followed, we established contact with the Hedre ethnic minority of China living on the banks of the Sungari, Ussuri and Amur rivers, and found out that we have one common language, the same customs and culture." The Nanai people of Russia and the Hedre have signed an agreement on cooperation to preserve and develop their national culture and customs. Delegations, exhibitions and new books are being exchanged.

The delegation has now taken to Tongjiang an exhibition from the reserves of its national museum, including handicrafts -- national robes, carpets and toys. A book "The Nanais and Hedre:Two Countries - One People" was published in Khabarovsk specially for the festival. Its pilot copies will be handed to representatives of the Hedre people together with special messages of greeting.