The Lunar New Year is a festivity linked with China, just as Christmas is the most important holiday in other Christian countries. However, like Dec. 25 which is also a holiday – or at least a shopping holiday if not a holy day for non-Christians – even in Muslim countries, the Spring Festival is also observed and celebrated in many countries outside China.
According to China Daily, over 2,000 events would simultaneously be held across 140 nations to celebrate the new moon. Among the happenings are exhibitions, film showing, parades and concerts. The celebration of the Spring Festival outside China is partly due to efforts by the Ministry of Culture in 2010 when it launched the series of events it called Happy Chinese New Year.
The festivities actually begin before Feb. 8, as early as the last week of January and would last until the end of February. “The festival serves as a platform for international audiences to understand the traditional and contemporary culture in China,” explained Vice Minister of Culture Ding Wei.
On top of the list are performances of current and contemporary music by international symphony orchestras by famous ensembles from Chicago and Melbourne, acrobatic acts as well song and dance shows with contemporary pieces from Chinese troupes from Zhejiang and Hunan Provinces.
Aimed also at overseas Chinese who may be missing the culture, there would also be the staging of more than 50 performances by nine performing arts troupes, according to an announcement last week by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. The troupes would perform in 42 cities in 22 countries, traveling to the continents of Australia, South America, Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. Among their performance are bianlian – or face changing which is part of the dramatic art form of Sichuan opera – and martial arts.
For the younger audience, the ministry would ring Li Qi, second season winner of “Voice of China,” a reality show, and other singers from the same program. Li Qi was a four-chair turner in China’s version of “The Voice” franchise.
Meanwhile, CNTV reported that dress rehearsals are now ongoing for the Spring Festival Gala of China Central Television (CCTV) which features various types of show. There would be singing, dancing, acrobatic performances, comedies and magic shows.