Lunar New Year Around the World

[ahojunk]

Chinese New Year 2017: Theresa May's message

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British PM sends Spring Festival message to Chinese
2017-01-26 13:33 Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

On the eve of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday sent her wishes to those celebrating the festival worldwide through the government's website, pledging to further develop the UK-China relations.

May said the Year of the Rooster is set to be particularly for the relationship between Britain and China, as the starting point of bilateral relations is stronger than ever before.

Recalling the "historic" state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Britain in October 2015, May said the two countries are seeing rapid development of bilateral ties.

"We receive more Chinese investment than any other major European country. We've got around 150,000 Chinese students studying here and the number of Chinese tourists visiting has doubled in five years," she said.

As both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council, May said Britain and China are working together on the most pressing global issues.

As 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the ambassadorial relations between Britain and China, May said she hoped both countries will further their ties in various fields.

"I want us to take this chance to build on all the ties we share -- in business, diplomacy, education, tourism and culture," said the prime minister.

May said she looks forward to making another visit to China, following her trip to Hangzhou to attend the G20 summit last year, which was her first visit outside Europe as prime minister and her first meeting with President Xi.

Furthermore, the prime minister praised the British Chinese community for their "enormous" contribution to the British society.

"The Rooster -- the Fire Rooster -- represents so many of the characteristics we need to employ in that endeavor: openness, confidence, hard work and leadership," May said. "Indeed, they are characteristics demonstrated day in, day out by the British Chinese community."

"As the lanterns are lit and the dumplings are served, let me wish you and your family, wherever you are, a very happy and healthy New Year," she said, before concluding her message in Chinese: "Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year)!"

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[艹艹艹]

 

[ahojunk]

Celebration of Chinese New Year abroad highlights China's growing soft power
Source:Xinhua Published: 2017/1/27 16:58:39


The far-flung celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year around the world offer people beyond the country an opportunity to feel the charm of China's traditions and culture, and also testify to its increasing soft power.

A growing number of people around the world are now celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Chinese Spring Festival, which lasts several days. The holiday, which is about reunion and togetherness, has become a highly anticipated annual event not only for the Chinese.

Over 1,000 Ghanaian students from the capital's junior high schools on Wednesday performed Chinese songs and dances to celebrate the Spring Festival.

The event was hosted by the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana Basic School, Legon. During the event, students from the Confucius Institute also displayed their proficiency in the spoken Chinese language and knowledge of Chinese music, dance and traditional costumes.

Chinese embassies as well as people of Chinese origin hold various receptions and parties during this time of the year in their respective countries to socialize with their counterparts and friends.

Earlier this month, the Chinese Embassy in Cuba held a New Year's reception, welcoming dozens of people of Chinese descent and Cuban guests.

The Chinese Ambassador to Cuba, Chen Xi, assured that the next 12 months will be decisive for strengthening political and commercial ties between the two countries in search of bilateral prosperity, as well as the bonds of friendship that have existed for more than 50 years.

The Chinese embassies in the United States, Nepal, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt and Rwanda held all kinds of activities to mark the occasion, attracting members from various circles of their host countries.

President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone also threw a party in Paris recently to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

On the festive occasion, many national leaders have expressed their wishes for a stronger bilateral relationship.

While sending her wishes to those celebrating the festival worldwide, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that the starting point of bilateral relations between Britain and China is stronger than ever before.

"We receive more Chinese investment than any other major European country. We've got around 150,000 Chinese students studying here and the number of Chinese tourists visiting has doubled in five years," she said.

"The Rooster -- the Fire Rooster -- represents so many of the characteristics we need to employ in that endeavor: openness, confidence, hard work and leadership," May said. "Indeed, they are characteristics demonstrated day in, day out by the British Chinese community."

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sent a message to the Chinese people and wished them a happy Lunar New Year, which falls on Saturday.

In a video message, Guterres said the Year of the Rooster symbolizes early starts and new beginnings. "It stresses the importance of energy, determination and a strong sense of responsibility at work."

"These are inspiring attributes to help guide us in troubled times," he said in the video released Wednesday night.

Czech President Milos Zeman on Wednesday evening invited reporters from China Central Television (CCTV) to convey his best wishes for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has also sent his greetings to overseas Chinese and Cambodians of Chinese descent ahead of the Chinese New Year.

"As the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rooster, draws near, in the status of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I'd like to join the celebrations with all brothers and sisters who have always lived and shared happiness and difficulty with each other since old times," he wrote in a message sent to the Association of Khmer-Chinese in Cambodia on Monday and released to the media on Thursday.

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[beijingwalker]

 

[ahojunk]

Fireworks light up sky in NYC to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year
2017-01-28 08:44 Xinhua Editor: Yao Lan

Fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River in the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2017.(Xinhua/Qin Lang)

Fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River in the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2017.(Xinhua/Qin Lang)

Fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River in the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2017.(Xinhua/Qin Lang)

Fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River in the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2017.(Xinhua/Qin Lang)

Fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River in the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2017.(Xinhua/Qin Lang)

Fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River in the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2017.(Xinhua/Qin Lang)

A couple watch fireworks over Manhattan of New York, the United States, celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year of Rooster, on Jan. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

 

[Daniel808]

Balinese People preparing for Lunar New Year Celebration (Imlek) one week ago.

From Denpasar City, Bali

 

[ahojunk]

Balinese People preparing for Lunar New Year Celebration (Imlek) one week ago.

From Denpasar City, Bali

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Bali has a very colorful culture.

Not many people know Bali has an area that is 8 times the size of Singapore.
Bali 5,780 km² vs Singapore 719.1 km².

 

[Daniel808]

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Bali has a very colorful culture.

Not many people know Bali has an area that is 8 times the size of Singapore.
Bali 5,780 km² vs Singapore 719.1 km².

Yes, Balinese people is colorful and very tolerant.
a Paradise Island

FOTO: Unik, Umat Budha dan Hindu Sembahyang Bersama Saat Imlek di Denpasar
Minggu, 29 Januari 2017 11:58

Balinese people Pray in Buddhist Temple in the Lunar New Year, Denpasar, Bali Island.

TRIBUN-BALI.COM, DENPASAR - Satu lagi bentuk keberagaman tersaji di Bali.

Warga Tionghoa dan Bali bersama-sama merayakan Tahun Baru Imlek 2568 di Kelenteng Griya Kongco Dwipayana, Tanah Kilap, Denpasar, Bali, Sabtu (28/1/2017) pagi.

Mereka memakai pakaian adat sekaligus membawa banten seperti halnya umat Hindu Bali.

Semerbak aroma wewangian dupa sangat terasa di Kelenteng Griya Kongco Dwipayana.

Balinese people Pray in Buddhist Temple in the Lunar New Year, Denpasar, Bali Island.

Ada ratusan mungkin ribuan dupa berwarna merah dibakar untuk mengiringi persembahyangan warga keturunan Tionghoa maupun warga Bali saat Imlek.

Menariknya, keberagaman sangat terasa di kelenteng ini.

Warga Tionghoa datang sembahyang memakai pakaian adat.

Selain memakai baju adat, mereka juga membawa banten sebagai persembahyangan kepada leluhur dan Tuhan.

Persembahyangan juga dilakukan dengan memakai canang, seperti halnya umat Hindu.

Balinese people Pray in Buddhist Temple in the Lunar New Year, Denpasar, Bali Island.

Ida Bagus Made Adnyana, Atu Mangku Griya Kongco Dwipayana menyampaikan, kelentengnya memang sangat mengedepankan keberagaman.

Semua golongan, baik warga Bali maupun keturunan Tionghoa datang ke kelenteng untuk melakukan persembahyangan.

"Umat Hindu dan Buddha, dia tidak merasakan suatu perbedaan. Semua datang sembahyang ke sini," jelas Atu Mangku, kemarin.

Kelenteng Griya Kongco Dwipayana yang terletak di ujung selatan perbatasan wilayah Kota Denpasar dan Kabupaten Badung, tepat di bibir bendungan Tanah Kilap, memang menjadi cikal bakal perpaduan tempat persembahyangan bagi Khonghucu, Hindu, dan Budha.

Balinese people Pray in Buddhist Temple in the Lunar New Year, Denpasar, Bali Island.

Tak heran, saat perayaan Imlek di Kongco ini juga dipadati umat Hindu yang sembahyang begitu juga umat Budha.

Itu karena di kongco ini juga ada stupa dan sang Budha sebagai tempat pemujaan bagi umat Budha.

Termasuk juga dibangun sebuah padmasana yang jadi pemujaan bagi umat Hindu.

Kongco Dwipayana yang dibangun sejak 1987 sampai 1999 ini merupakan perwujudan dari simbol Siwa dan Budhha.

Balinese people Pray in Buddhist Temple in the Lunar New Year, Denpasar, Bali Island.

Itu sebabnya umat Buddha dan Hindu Bali bisa duduk berdampingan secara khidmat menggelar persembahyangan.

Ida Bagus Made Adnyana menjelaskan, di kongco ini, hampir setiap hari kedua umat menggelar persembahyangan.

"Jika umat Hindu, dia akan bersembahyang di tempat umat Hindu dulu, baru ke sini (ke tempat persembahyangan umat Budhha). Dan, begitu juga sebaliknya," jelasnya.

Keberadaan Kelenteng Griya Kongco Dwipayana ini pun setidaknya bisa jadi jawaban atas munculnya fenomena dan isu intoleran yang terjadi saat ini.

Atu Mangku Griya Kongco Dwipayana pun berpesan agar umat beragama tak mudah terprovokasi dengan isu-isu SARA. (nyoman mahayasa/rizal fanany)




http://bali.tribunnews.com/2017/01/29/foto-unik-umat-budha-dan-hindu-sembahyang-bersama-saat-imlek-di-denpasar?page=1

 

[ahojunk]

Chinese New Year Parade held in Brussels
Source: Xinhua | 2017-01-29 06:21:51 | Editor: huaxia

Lion dancers take part in the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)


BRUSSELS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The second Chinese New Year Parade was held on Saturday afternoon in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

The parade was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, the municipal government of Brussels and associations of Chinese community in Belgium.

As Manneken Pis put on Tang suit, excited people held national flags of China and Belgium.

Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing, Belgian Minister of Budget Sophie Wilmes and Mayor of the City of Brussels Yvan Mayeur attended the opening ceremony of the parade.

Qu said that Chinese New Year activities help people of other countries better understand Chinese culture and the Chinese New Year is playing an ever increasing important role in the world.

Mayeur said he hoped the year of 2017 would be a year of peace and prosperity.

Xiang Shihai, cultural counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, said that the parade displayed Chinese culture, such as lion dance, martial arts, traditional Chinese costumes and folk music.

More than 1,300 people, both from China and Belgium, participated in the performance, said he.

The Chinese New Year parade lasted four hours and attracted tens of thousands of people.

The parade will also be held on Sunday in Dinant at the invitation of the city. There will be a reception held by the city to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Year of the Rooster.

During the reception, the government of the Walloon Region will present a statue of rooster, which symbolizes the region, to the Chinese side to celebrate the Year of the Rooster.

Lion dancers take part in the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

Performers in panda costume in the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

Performers in the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)

Lion dancers take part in the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)

A couple dressed as giant pandas take part in the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

 

[Caan]

Happy chinese new year

 

[ahojunk]

Chinese Lunar New Year celebrated in London
2017-01-30 12:30 Xinhua Editor:Mo Hong'e

Dragon dance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain, on Jan. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

Lion dance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain, on Jan. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan (5th L, front), Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming (3rd R, front) and other guests attend the celebration for the Chinese Lunar New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain, on Jan. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

A performance during the celebration for the Chinese Lunar New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain, on Jan. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

Lion dance in Chinatown during the celebration for the Chinese Lunar New Year in London, Britain, on Jan. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

 

[ahojunk]

Dragon dance performed during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Brazil
(Xinhua) 09:47, January 29, 2017

The dragon dance is performed during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso)

 

[ahojunk]

Canadian PM attends Chinese New Year celebration in Vancouver
2017-01-30 09:18 Xinhua Editor: Mo Hong'e

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led a procession of political leaders, community groups and dancers through Vancouver's historic Chinatown Sunday morning for the city's annual Chinese New Year Parade.

Under a heavy rain and flanked by Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Chinese Consul General to Vancouver, Liu Fei, Trudeau walked surrounded by photographers and his stern security unit up Pender Street - the main artery Vancouver's 130-year-old Chinese district.

Spectators crammed shoulder-to-shoulder along the sidewalks as fire crackers snapped over a din of drums.

British Columbia's Premier Christy Clark greeted spectators and handed out lucky red envelopes to children along the 1.3-kilometer parade route, wishing them a happy new year.

Spectators watched from above from the balcony of Chin Wing Chun building, one of the many historic Chinese association buildings that have resided along Pender Street for decades.

Lion dancers dressed in silver, purple and red lurched and bobbed to the backing of drum beats outside the Chinese Cultural Centre. The event marks the largest assembly of lion dancers in all of Canada and attracts nearly 100,000 spectators.

At one intersection a massive golden dragon writhed and danced under the control of about a dozen young men.

Vancouver is home to more than 400,000 Chinese-Canadians.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said the event comes at an important time as a showcase of diversity and inclusion. It shows a contrast between Canada and what he called a "distressing" immigration executive order issued over the weekend by U.S. President Donald Trump that banned travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.

"We're marching in our streets to celebrate multiculturalism and and we need to stake that strong role as a city and a country," he told Xinhua.

"I love the Chinese New Year Parade because it brings all cultures together to celebrate the Asian culture and that's what we do in Vancouver," he said. "It's inclusive of all cultures but we highlight the strengths of each people. It's a very mixed crowd celebrating the lunar New Year."

Richard Lee, a member of British Columbia's provincial government, told Xinhua he has been attending the parade since the 1980s. The parade used to attract thousands, and now it attracts tens of thousands, he said.

"It's a new start to the year. We forget the past and we look forward to a bright future," Lee said. "The year of the rooster is very positive. When the rooster makes some noise, it's the beginning of the day. It's a bright future."

Penny Lim joined spectators on the sidewalk near the Millennium Gate, a massive archway that signals the entry to Chinatown on Pender Street. She gripped a camera that hung around her neck.

She said her father moved to Vancouver from Guangdong province. Born here, Lim has been coming to the parade for decades to film and photograph the lion dancers.

"The colors are quite exciting," she said. "When I was young, I didn't appreciate them, but the combinations of orange, pink, yellow; I think is quite vibrant."

She said the event is a showcase of Canadian diversity. "It's a connection to our heritage, and mainly it's festive and a lot of fun. Great for people-watching and great for photography."

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[ahojunk]

Toronto Raptors become fourth NBA team to wear Chinese New Year jersey
2017-01-31 08:39 Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

The Toronto Raptors became the fourth NBA franchise to don a Chinese New Year jersey in their 114-113 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.

As part of the sixth annual NBA Chinese New Year Celebration, Toronto joined Golden State, Houston, and Washington as the only teams in league history to put on a specially-designed uniform with Chinese characters of the team name or city. As part of the 2015 Lunar New Year celebration, the league chose the Warriors and the Rockets to debut the jerseys. The following season, the Wizards were selected to expand the group to three teams.

Toronto's special red uniform replaces the word 'Raptors' with the direct translation of the word 'Toronto' in three simplified Chinese characters. The design incorporates a dragon head in the top-left quadrant of the first character 'duo,' and embeds the team's logo in the lower-right quadrant of the second character 'lun.'

Raptors forward Patrick Patterson, who started his career in Houston, says he was excited when he heard that his team was selected by the league to wear the uniform this season.

"I'm glad that Toronto was picked. I was ecstatic when I found out that we would be wearing them," Patterson told Xinhua following Sunday night's game. "For us to be in that talk to be able to wear that jerseys just shows the impact that we can have and the impact that people have on us," he added.

The selection also coincides with the Canadian government officially recognizing spring festival for the first time.

With a population of nearly 600,000 people of Chinese origin, the greater Toronto area ranks second in North America for the number of ethnic Chinese, behind New York's population of 720,000.

In addition to wearing the jerseys, Toronto and eight other teams will host Chinese-themed activities in their home arenas. Raptors head coach Dwane Casey is an advocate of such activities, especially given the current controversy surrounding immigration policy in the United States.

"I think it's beautiful, especially with what is going on in the United States right now, to celebrate diversity," Casey said prior to Sunday's game. "A night like tonight is very important to send a message to send a signal that no matter who you are, your culture and your heritage is very important," Casey remarked.

Also part of this year's celebration is Hall of Fame Center Yao Ming having his No. 11 jersey retired by Houston on Feb. 3. Casey spoke highly of Yao's impact on the sport.

"He meant so much to the game. I think by him being one of the first top Asian players to play, that's a tribute to that part of the world to be able to have that imprint," said Casey. "Tonight we are celebrating him. I think what he brought to the table, being one of the first great Chinese players and being in the Hall of Fame is a beautiful, beautiful thing," he added.

For his part, Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel said that the global reach which the league has been able to achieve over the past few decades is what makes it special.

"The globalization of our game is what I think separates us from most sports," Vogel said prior to the game. "Adam Silver and David Stern have done a terrific job making it a global game. That's one of the things that's unique and special about the NBA," Vogel continued.

This year's Chinese New Year festivities, which run between Jan. 26 and Feb. 11, will see a record 60 games broadcasted live in various television networks and digital platforms across China. This is the second straight year that all 30 teams will be featured.

The Raptors will wear their special jersey again on Tuesday night when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.


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A picture of the jersey.

 

[Speeder 2]

Pity that Amsterdam's lion dance has somehow been cancelled , else I would have uploaded a vid on that, anyway,

Happy Chinese New Year 2017, guys!