BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- To welcome the Year of the Dragon, a wave of festive celebrations sweeps across the world, with people from different cultures and backgrounds joining in to experience the rich tapestry of Chinese Lunar New Year traditions.
A number of iconic landmarks, from the Empire State Building in New York to the London Eye, Tokyo Tower and the Sydney Opera House, have been lit in vibrant red hues and decorated with Chinese elements, creating a cheerful festive atmosphere to welcome the Year of the Dragon.
The Empire State Building glowed red for the 24th consecutive year. "Celebrating the Lunar New Year in the heart of New York City is an annual tradition at the Empire State Building. The windows of our iconic Fifth Avenue lobby will feature a festive art installation in honor of this year's animal - the dragon," said Christina Chiu, executive vice president, operations and chief financial officer of Empire State Realty Trust.
Photo: Xinhua/Yue Chenxing
Various entertainment and cultural events have been organised in France, Slovakia, Nigeria, Rwanda, the Central African Republic and elsewhere.
On February 4, the Chinese community in France was in the spotlight on the iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, where a series of live performances heralded the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. Traditional dragon and lion dances, fish lanterns and hanfu performances attracted more than 50,000 people.
"A spectacular event. This is the first time I have seen such an event. It feels good to see such a colourful event from another culture," participant Jean-Baptiste told Xinhua news agency, adding that Chinese New Year can "touch everyone".
To celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year, a concert was held on the same day in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Musicians from the Chinese Chamber Orchestra of the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music performed traditional Chinese music.
Marek Estok, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, said in his speech that the concert "will take us through Chinese melodies into Chinese history and unique culture, which for thousands of years has positively influenced and enriched humanity with its precious philosophy, literature and architecture."
The Chinese community in Nigeria held a carnival celebration in the country's capital Abuja on February 3, featuring all kinds of Chinese folk arts.
Adeshina Adegboye, a Nigerian mechanical engineer who attended the event for the first time, described the festive atmosphere as "electrifying": "As you can see, this celebration clearly shows the shared joy of the Chinese and their Nigerian friends."
Confucius Institutes in Rwanda and the Central African Republic held colourful events to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Students studying Chinese language at the Confucius Institute of the University of Rwanda engaged in various activities, including a lecture introducing the Spring Festival, paper cutting and writing Chinese characters symbolizing happiness and contentment.
Daguia Clotaire, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda in the Central African Republic, said: "This is exactly what the Chinese are doing, working hard to develop their country." The dragon symbolizes wisdom and strength.
Xinhua/gnews.cz-JaV_07
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