NEW YORK, Feb.11 (Xinhua) – A number of landmarks in New York City have been illuminated to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Buffalo.
The Empire State Building hosted a virtual lighting ceremony on Wednesday, which allowed Internet users around the world to witness the “flipping of the switch” that turned the famous tower red. The top of this iconic building is expected to keep this color from sunset Wednesday until Thursday 2:00 a.m. local time.
“We are proud that this lighting continues to celebrate not only the Lunar New Year, but also the partnership between the Empire State Building, the Chinese people, people of Chinese descent around the world to celebrate this important holiday,” he said. said Anthony Malkin, Managing Director of Empire State Realty Trust, at the ceremony.
“May the Year of the Buffalo give us more opportunities to expand our partnership and cooperation,” Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping said on the occasion, saying he expected the Empire State Building, “a splendid must-see in New York,” will attract many Chinese visitors after the pandemic.
Rising 443 meters above midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building has maintained a tradition of colorful illuminations to mark various occasions and organizations since 1976.
This is the 21st consecutive year that the New York emblem has illuminated red for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Representations of the Chinese zodiac also adorn the lobby of the building on Fifth Avenue.
Further south, the spire at One World Trade Center is expected to glow red and gold from Thursday to Saturday.
Other iconic sites, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Goethals Bridge and Bayonne Bridge, were also illuminated in honor of the Lunar New Year.
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