长沙晚报7月18日讯(全媒体记者 饶丽 李苏璇 实习生 钟卓轩)“Returning to Mauritius on June 27, 2024, I cherish a wonderful and unforgettable memory of my training in Changsha. I truly miss Hunan and its people. The warm smiles, discipline, and kindness of the people of Hunan, as well as the rural way of life, have left a lasting impression on me. ”7月12日，刚刚结束“非洲英语国家广播电视运行管理能力建设研修班”培训的克里斯特尔·玛丽·诺埃拉迫不及待地给长沙晚报国际传播中心来信，讲述自己在湘期间的见闻，分享长沙带给她的别样体验。
“非洲英语国家广播电视运行管理能力建设研修班”是我国援外培训项目之一，此次共有来自厄立特里亚、莱索托、尼日利亚、埃塞俄比亚、毛里求斯、乌干达和桑给巴尔7个非洲国家的24位媒体从业者来华接受培训。14天的培训期间，他们与湖南媒体同行一道探讨广播电视运行管理经验，实地参观考察马栏山视频文创园、湖南广电，并走进了《歌手2024》现场。
对于热爱音乐的克里斯特尔·玛丽·诺埃拉来说，这是一次非常难得的经历。1200平米的演播厅、梦幻般的舞台、强大的制作团队、高水平的演出……无一不吸引着她的眼球。“《歌手2024》水平非常高，可媲美欧洲国家同类型节目。我一直在YouTube上关注这个节目的更新，并分享给我远在毛里求斯的家人和朋友，鼓励他们成为《歌手》的粉丝。”
在信中，克里斯特尔·玛丽·诺埃拉从不吝啬对长沙的赞美：面积堪比毛里求斯两个城镇大小的黄花国际机场，长沙迷人的夜景灯光秀，夜市上美味的螃蟹和烤肉串、岳麓书院的弦歌不缀、承办单位湖南外贸职业学院的热情……其中，五一广场的繁华与热闹给她留下尤其深刻的印象，“感觉自己好像身处纽约时代广场，可事实上我只是站在周日晚的五一广场。”
克里斯特尔·玛丽·诺埃拉来自毛里求斯国家电视台MBC，是一名有着20多年从业经验的高级新闻编辑。时隔8年，再次来到中国，她对中国、对长沙有了更加具象化的认识。“湖南将永远在我的心中占有一个特殊的位置，我强烈建议没来过湖南的毛里求斯人都来这走一走、看一看。”
克里斯特尔·玛丽·诺埃拉来信全文：
In Hunan, the experience of an islander!
Learning that after eight years, since my first visit in Beijing, I would return back to China was in fact a dream. I could not restrain myself from being excited embarking on this beautiful journey to attend a seminar on Capacity Building of Radio and Television Operation Management for the English Speaking African Countries, held in Changsha, Hunan from 13th to June 26th 2024.
At the beginning of my journey as a journalist, my initial objective was to gather as much information as possible about Changsha and the province of Hunan. I was excited to learn a few weeks before my departure that Changsha is one of the 25 must-visit cities in China, and that it is the birthplace of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China. What an incredible opportunity!
I departed from my homeland of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean, on June 11, 2024 to embark on an exciting journey to Changsha. The adventure commenced with a lengthy 16-hour flight that included two layovers, one of which was in Dubai. Upon my arrival at Huanghua Airport in the early hours of Thursday, I was struck by the sheer size of the airport, which could easily encompass nearly two towns back in Mauritius. Despite feeling tired from the journey, I was warmly greeted by the organizers and upon returning to the hotel, my curiosity was piqued to explore the surroundings and experience Changsha at night.
Despite the fatigue from the jet lag the next day, I was astounded by the dynamic sights in front of my hotel. Being an urban dweller, residing in a bustling city and exploring its way of life was truly exhilarating. Malls, spas, and museums. On my initial trip to Hunan, I hailed a blue cab to a nearby shopping center. En route to the mall, I noticed the contemporary infrastructure, towering structures, well-behaved drivers, and most importantly, a pristine city, which established the ambiance for the remainder of my visit.
As a connoisseur of fine food, I found myself unable to resist sampling the various delights of Hunan cuisine. I particularly enjoyed the presence of garlic in my dishes, such as the garlic red chillies fried chicken and the braised pork, not to mention the renowned sticky tofu. Despite any initial reservations I may have had, I decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, along with the delicious crab and skewers I savored at the night markets.
Changsha's contemporary urban growth truly captivated me. The nighttime skyline of Changsha was truly breathtaking, with all the illuminated buildings. In the evening, it was a sight to behold. Hunan seemed like a Christmas wonderland, even though it was only June. Although I could not be out on the streets every night to witness these LED displays, these stunning views are still sketched in my mind and memory.
Wuyi Square is an absolute necessity to visit. I utilized the metro to get there, and upon arrival, I was amazed by the bustling and vibrant atmosphere, with the futuristic streets brightly illuminated. It felt like I was in Times Square in New York, but I was actually in Wuyi Square on a Sunday night. I had hoped to admire the illuminated buildings from Orange Island, but unfortunately, my busy schedule made it difficult to visit this remarkable historical site, which is my regret.
During our seminar, I had the opportunity to visit the Yuelu Academy where I was deeply moved by the warm welcome extended to us by the children. They graciously explained the significance of this historic institution, which has stood for over a millennium. This visit to the ancient site in China underscored the vital role that cultural and academic academies play in the lives of the people of Hunan and the Chinese population as a whole, emphasizing the value of honoring and respecting the elderly.
During my trip to Hunan, I had the incredible opportunity to take part in the rehearsal of the popular TV show "The Singer" on Mango TV. It felt like a dream come true. The studio was massive, filled with bright lights and bustling with 50 producers. It was a truly international show that I knew I couldn't miss. After the rehearsal, I, along with two colleagues, were asked to share our experiences with fellow journalists. It was a unique experience for me, as I was used to being behind the camera, not in front of it. The next day, we were thrilled to find out that we were invited to attend the actual show. We dressed up in our finest attire, with my friend Katy and I even wearing high heels, although we noticed that we were the only ones as most Chinese attendees were wearing more comfortable shoes. As we interacted with the Chinese audience, taking selfies and feeling like stars ourselves, it was truly an unforgettable experience. "The Singer" is an international show, similar to those in European countries, and the level of competition is incredibly high. Since my participation, I have been following the show's updates on YouTube and have shared the link with my family and friends in Mauritius, encouraging them to become fans of this amazing show.
During our visit to prominent media companies such as Mango Tv and Hunan Daily Press, the chairperson and staff warmly greeted my fellow African journalist and me. I gained valuable insights into the historical significance of this press for Hunan. Following the visit and presentation, we were delighted to receive our appointment letters as "Hunan Daily Press Special Overseas Correspondent."
Returning to Mauritius on June 27, 2024, I cherish a wonderful and unforgettable memory of my training in Changsha. I truly miss Hunan and its people. The warm smiles, discipline, and kindness of the people of Hunan, as well as the rural way of life, have left a lasting impression on me. Hunan will always hold a special place in my heart. I highly recommend visiting this province to anyone who has not yet had the chance to do so. This is my advice as someone who lives on an island.
About the author
I am Christelle Marie Noella Lebrasse, I am from Mauritius, a beautiful island of 1, 3 million inhabitants in the Indian Ocean to the south eastern coast of East Africa. I having more than 20 years in the journalism field and I am only a news anchor and a producer. My interests include travelling, music, reading, spending time with my family and going to the seaside.