On the morning of Sept 6, Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye, who came to Beijing to attend the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum, visited BIFT. Then-BIFT Party chief Zhou Zhijun and BIFT Vice-President Zou You warmly received her and the delegation she led.

Then-BIFT Party chief Zhou Zhijun warmly welcomes Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye.

At the BIFT National Costume Museum, Ndayishimiye spoke highly of the rich collections, especially the Han nationality horse-face skirt, the Hezhe nationality fish skin clothing, the Li nationality tree bark clothing, etc.. She said that although Burundi and China are far apart, the people of the two countries have many similarities in traditional clothing culture.

Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye visits BIFT National Costume Museum.

BIFT prepared the "Ancient Chinese Costume Restoration Show", which reproduced the traditional clothing styles of different dynasties in ancient China. Ndayishimiye watched the fashion show with interest and had in-depth exchanges with BIFT students.

She highly praised the wonderful performances of teachers and students and the achievements of the school in the fields of traditional clothing culture research, saying that the Chinese traditional clothing culture is profound, leaving her with a beautiful and deep impression.

A fashion show of replicas of ancient Chinese clothes

The Burundian guests talk with BIFT students who participated in the fashion show.

BIFT presented the First Lady of Burundi with a large embroidery piece and a "new Chinese style" horse-face skirt, which she tried on with great interest on the spot.

BIFT presents the First Lady of Burundi with an embroidery piece of "Phoenix in Peony"

The First Lady of Burundi tries on a "new Chinese style" horse-face skirt.

Finally, the Burundian First Lady took a group photo with the school leaders, teachers and students in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The hosts and guests take a group photo.

The First Lady of Burundi take a group photo with BIFT students.

Clothing and accessories have profound cultural attributes and are an important carrier for inheriting and promoting national culture. BIFT is actively making full use of its disciplinary and professional characteristics to promote the inheritance, dissemination and creative transformation of China's excellent traditional culture and enhance the international appeal of Chinese culture and fashion.