The Chinese community held celebrations ahead of the Chinese New Year in the capital Arab Saudi, Riyadh on Saturday (14/1) last weekend. They feel like they’re in China.
They were also happy because the celebrations at Boulevard World in Riyadh were similar to those in China.
“I feel like I’m in China. I’m very excited and happy,” said one member of the Chinese community, Mariam, as quoted by Arab News.
The owner of the real name Yang Liqin said that the Chinese New Year celebrations took place in Arab Saudi this time is what he likes the most as long as he has lived in this Muslim-majority country for the last 7 years.
“Every Chinese here feels very grateful to the government Arab Saudi for giving us the opportunity to show China and the culture of the Chinese people to Arabs and foreigners who come (to Boulevard World),” he continued.
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Chinese New Year in Saudi Arabia Photo: (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
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Meanwhile, Moussa, another member of the Chinese community, told Arab News that “during the Chinese New Year preparations (in Saudi), we had family reunions and got together to eat and celebrate.”
Arab Saudi this year it did again allow the celebration of Chinese New Year on a large scale in the country. The festivities started from January 14 to 22 at the China Boulevard World Riyadh pavilion.
The event was attended by a large number of visitors, including the Chinese Ambassador to Arab Saudi, Chen Weiqing, as well as Thai Ambassador to Saudi, Darm Boontham. A number of diplomats and their wives also attended the celebration.
The celebration features traditional dragon and lion dances with bright red and yellow colors predominate to attract good luck and fortune in the new year.
Through this event, Arab Saudi aims to promote cultural and artistic exchange and cooperation between the two countries, as well as to improve Saudi society’s understanding of Chinese culture.
The Chinese community itself plans to hold Chinese New Year celebrations from New Year’s Eve to February 1, 2023, followed by a Lantern Festival.
Watch Video “The atmosphere before Chinese New Year in the Glodok area “
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(wsw/wsw)
