"Happy Chinese New Year" activities held in many places in Spain

Over the past few days, Madrid, Spain has held a variety of activities to celebrate the Spring Festival, allowing people to experience immersive Chinese traditional culture and feel the unique charm of Chinese civilization. The picture shows local children learning to write brush characters under the guidance of the staff. Photo by Gustavo

Before and after the Chinese Lunar New Year, a series of celebration activities such as "Happy Chinese New Year" were held in various parts of Spain. Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza and other places have held a variety of activities such as folk temple fairs, gourmet food tastings, float parades, art exhibitions, etc., allowing local people and overseas Chinese in the West to celebrate the festive season together.

As the opening event of the "Happy Chinese New Year" in Spain in 2023, "Blooming Art in Spring—Exhibition of Chinese and Spanish Female Artists" opened at the China Cultural Center in Madrid a few days ago. Nearly 50 works jointly created by Chinese and Western artists with the theme of "spring" contain the unique vitality and creativity of spring and the yearning for a better life, which aroused strong sympathy from the audience.

As in previous years, this year the Madrid Municipal Government invited the famous illustrator Barker to design the New Year pictures of the Chinese zodiac. At the temple fair, local people lined up to take photos with huge New Year pictures. Marta, a local resident who drove for nearly 2 hours to participate in the event, said that the New Year paintings not only contain cute rabbits, but also incorporate the local architectural and artistic features of Spain, perfectly integrating Western and Chinese cultures. "Through these activities, we not only feel the joy of festivals, but also learn a lot about traditional Chinese culture and customs. Such festivals have become part of our lives."

Casa Batllo, a landmark building in Barcelona, is lit up in "Chinese red". The gorgeous red lights are projected on the main wall of Casa Batllo, a world cultural heritage site. The oriental light show creates festive celebrations for Chinese and foreign tourists and local people .

At the invitation of the local government, the Confucius Institute at the University of Zaragoza organized a Spring Festival parade. On the pedestrian street in the city center, local audiences who came to watch the performance crowded the streets. Amid bursts of applause and cheers, overseas Chinese performed wonderful dragon dances, lion dances, waist drums, traditional songs and dances and martial arts, which attracted people to stop and watch and take pictures.

Wu Haitao, Chinese Ambassador to Spain, said that the "Happy Chinese New Year" event has been held in Madrid and other places for many years. He hopes that the "Happy Chinese New Year" event will enable more Spanish people to understand traditional Chinese culture, feel the friendship of the Chinese people, and share the joy and happiness of the festival. . 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain, and the two countries will hold the China-Western Culture and Tourism Year.

Madrid Mayor Almeida said the rabbit symbolizes peace and harmony. Thanks to China for hosting the Spring Festival celebrations. The rich and colorful cultural, artistic, gourmet and entertainment activities have given Madrid citizens the opportunity to understand Chinese culture and traditional customs and deepen friendship with China. Holding the "Happy Chinese New Year" event on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and China will further enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

(Newspaper Madrid, January 25th)