In celebration of China's Lunar New Year, the Ministry of Culture announced a global contest for all Chinese around the world, one which has never been done in Chinese history.
Aside from what is being done traditionally every Chinese New Year such as gorging on dumplings and watching dragon dances, the ministry opened another activity in which Chinese people can celebrate the New Year--now by sharing to the world photos, videos and even literary works about the Chinese Spring Festival.
And all these sharing will be staged in a very popular platform which can be accessed wherever Chinese are: the social media. The lucky winners will receive prizes up to $500.
The contest is sponsored by the Minsitry of Culture's bureau for external cultural relations and organized by China's Daily Web Portal Chinadaily.com.cn through a website they developed called Chinaculture.org.
Dubbed as "The Chinese New Year - Just Share It," the contest will last for more than one month, allowing for an ample time to collect entries.
According to the statement released by the ministry, the contest aims to "tell stories of the Spring Festival all over the world, demonstrate the happiness, vitality and harmony of the festival and reflect its growing charm and influence."
Participants are given until March 5 to submit their works to contest@chinadaily.com.cn. Entries may be in the form of documents for essays and other literary works, or YouTube videos. In the latter's case, only the link is needed. Participants may also post their entires on the Facebook page "Chinese New Year - Just Share It."
The winners will be determined by voting. Chinese netizens and experts will constitute the panel of judges. The netizens will be allowed 40 percent of the decision, and the experts will be given 60 percent. The panel of experts include the academe, China Photographers' Association and China Daily.
Announcement of the winners will be in late March, and their contributions will be featured on Chinadaily.com.cn and Chinaculture.org.
The contest is just one of the many events that will be held at the ministry as China celebrates its most important holiday. During the duration of the festival, which falls in the days of Feb. 4 to March 5, 2015, more than 800 programs will be staged in different cities in more than 118 regions and counties.
Performances include theater shows, parades, fairs, cultural exhibits, song and dance shows, competitions, concerts and a very special televised New Year gala.