Beijing, China – (Newsfile Corp. – January 27, 2025) – With the removal of the good dragon, the golden snake arrives in the spring. From songs of songs and dances to collaborative performances, from photography exhibitions to immaterial cultural heritage experiences, this event marks the first time that the Spring Festival, already recorded in the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of mankind, It is celebrated in Greece as an immaterial. Cultural heritage event. Sponsored by the Municipal Bureau of Beijing for Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Government of the City of Piraeus and organized by the Cultural Exchange Center outside Beijing, China Cultural Center in Athens and China-Green Times, 2025 “Happy Chinese Series of the Year New ”lasted for three days and withdrew over 6,000 local participants.
On January 20, 2025, the performance of the spring festival “The Year of the Serpent” was held greatly at the Piraeus City Theater. Over 400 in attendance included Chinese ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu, Deputy Director General of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing Wang Hongtao, Mayor of Piraeus Yiannis Moralis, Deputy Governor of Cyclades Darsentis Charalambos, friends from various sectors in Greece, representatives from the Chinese community, companies funded by China and international students.
Ambassador Fang Qiu, Deputy Director General Wang Hongtao and performers posed for a group photo
The “Serpent Year” event Happy Chinese New Year at the Piraeus City Theater
Prior to the show, Ambassador Fang Qiu welcomed the guests for the New Year, saying that China and Greece are good friends and partners in the construction of “Belt and Road” and in cultural exchanges. He expressed China’s willingness to strengthen the links of cultural exchange and mutually useful cooperation with Greece, promoting further development of China-Greece relations. He thanked the Municipal Bureau of Beijing Culture and Tourism for their meticulous selection of artistic programs, emphasizing the unique charm of “Happy Chinese New Year”, as China’s festive red mixes with the quiet blouse of Greece.
Wang Hongtao, Deputy Director General of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing, praised friendly exchanges between the two countries, presenting the latest Beijing tourism policies and cultural and tourist offers, warmly welcoming Greek friends to visit Beijing .
Wang Hongtao’s speech, Deputy Director General of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing
The Mayor of Piraeus, Janis Moralis, delivered a speech
Mayor Yiannis Moralis expressed gratitude for the wonderful performances of the Beijing delegation, hoping to increase exchanges and cooperation between Beijing and Piraeus in culture, tourism, economics and trade.
Cultural exchange through cooperative performances
This year marks the year of the snake in the Chinese lunar calendar, with the Northern Opera Theater that interprets excerpts from the “white snake legend”. This work recently won the best play prize at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, scoring the first one for Chinese Kunqu.
Chinese kunqu “white snake legend”
Dance “dun dun wu wo”
“Dun Dun Wu Wo”, made by your Beijing Academy of Dance Academy, is a part of the Lotus Award that recreates the ancient romance of “Kan Gu Wo, Dun Dun Wo”, which means ” With joyful drums, we dance with elegance and vibrancy ”, from the Chinese classic Song Book – Xiaoya using the Ceramic figurines of the Han dynasty.
Martial arts “flag that shines over China”
Dance “Festival of three -color lantern”
Dance “Long Silk Dance”
Greek artists performing bouzouki
Cooperative performance by Chinese and Greek artists
Greek artists also contributed with extraordinary performances. Famous Greek musician and singer, Vegelis Konitopoulos, conveyed through his songs a beautiful search for a healthy and harmonious life. Cooperative programs such as “Following the Moon”, “Jasmine Flower”, “Piraeus’ Children” and “The Chamber of Joy” repeatedly sparked the public’s enthusiasm.
Rich cultural and tourist offers expect Greek citizens
The neoclassical municipal theater of Piraeus, with a 150 -year -old history, was beautifully decorated with red lanterns and Chinese knots. The square outside attracted passers -by with exhibitions titled “Hello, Beijing”, “Happy Chinese New Year” and designs appreciated by the global zodiac design competition. Various activities, including an inbound tourism promotion in Beijing, as well as experiences in Beijing Embroidery and Imperial Kitchen, attracted a steady influx of visitors. On stage, Chinese performance artists and Greek dancers and alternately presented a colorful show.
Domestic and foreign guests attending the show
Wang Hongtao, Deputy Director General of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing, communicating with Greek musicians
Wang Hongtao, Deputy Director General of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing, presents Beijing’s inward tourism policies for Ambassador Fang Qiu
Celebration of Chinese New Year together: a spectacular show in the New Year reception
On the evening of January 17, a reception was organized at the Chinese Embassy in Greece to celebrate the appointment of Ambassador Fang Qiu and Chinese New Year 2025. The event showed a series of shows from the Beijing delegation. Dance, martial arts and folk music exhibit China’s unique cultural characteristics, receiving high estimates from over 500 guests present. Ambassador Fang Qiu noted that the performance of the Beijing delegation was excellent and of a high artistic standard, showing the deep wealth of traditional Chinese culture and contributing to the country’s diplomatic efforts.
New Year’s activities bring to life the world of festive spring miracles
Kidom Game Corner is transformed into a spring festival park
On January 19, 2025, the activities of the “Year of the Snake” spring festival officially began. The Kidom Children’s Fun Park in Athens turned into a place of festive spring miracles full of Chinese cultural elements.
Photographic
Upon entering the entertainment park, visitors were hosted by the photo exhibition “Hello, Beijing”, as well as designs appreciated by the global zodiac design race. The photos vividly unveiled ancient charm and modern Beijing changes, captivating visitors. Three theme exhibitions will continue for a month at Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.
The two intangible cultural heritage stands were filled with tourists eager to participate. Liu Xiaoyan, Beijing Embroidery heir, displayed excellent folk crafts, while Imperial Kitchen presented beautifully packaged tea gifts that repeated and renewed the traditional Chinese cuisine culture.
At 15:00, the show officially began, displaying a Dragon and Lion dance team composed entirely of local children from Athens, displaying the “Dragon of Friendship” donated to the city during the 2019 Beijing delegation visit.
Deputy Director General Wang Hongtao of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing and advisor Lai Bo added the last touch of the Chinese Dragon
Deputy Director General Wang Hongtao of the Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau of Beijing delivered a speech
Deputy Director General Wang Hongtao of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing delivered a speech, presenting the latest Beijing tourism policies and cultural tourism resources, warmly welcoming Greek friends to visit Beijing. Advisor Lai Bo at the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the wife of the mayor of Allo Funpark in Greece participated in the event.
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Fanis Papathanasiou promotes inward tourism in Beijing
The event presented the renowned Greek national television presenter Fanis Papathanasiou, who made a special promotion for inward tourism in Beijing. After visiting Beijing several times, he was impressed by the rich tourist resources of the city and modern development. Papathanasiou passionately presented the masses of travel ease of Beijing and the abundant tourist resources of the city, revealing eight inward routes. A lottery activity raised the atmosphere.
After promoting tourism in Beijing, the “Happy Chinese New Year” officially began. Traditional Chinese cultural programs, including folk music, dance, martial arts and Kunqu opera, were presented one after another.
A popular musical piece, the “Golden Snake Dance”, immediately plunged the public into a festive atmosphere. The performance of the martial arts “Flag that shines on China” culminated. Dance programs were varied: “Long Silk Dance” was inspired by Dunhuang, while a modern choreographic dance, “Blue Fantasy”, highlighted blue – a favorite in Greece – with movements that conveyed the mystery and clarity of blue in Chinese. culture for the Greek audience.
Greek enthusiasm illuminates the Chinese New Year holiday
The atmosphere in the country was alive as the Greek community celebrated the Chinese New Year together. Ms. Nini said she was excited in front of reporters, saying she loves China and plans to travel there this year. Nadia High School teacher noted that both China and Greece are ancient civilizations with many similarities. She was glad to have the opportunity to greet her Chinese friends here. Mr. Vasily said: “Thank you very much delegation for wonderful shows; art and food were stunning and gave us a chance to understand Chinese culture.”
The event attracted nearly a thousand enthusiastic participants, vividly interpreting cultural connotations and endless Chinese New Year charm.
A multinational trip to Flashmob: Cultural Union and Mutual Learning
The snake symbolizes much in common in Chinese and Greek cultures, exploring the relationship between nature and life and filling it with rich spiritual and philosophical meanings.
The Delegation Flashmob production team used a 24-meter-long silk ribbon held by dancers to connect iconic buildings in Athens, such as Acropolis, University of Athens and National Archaeological Museum, displaying dance, opera, music and martial arts Chinese. conveying topics of unity and harmony.
Since 2017, Beijing has been the series of “Happy Chinese New Year” in Greece for nine consecutive years. The celebration of the Chinese New Year together has become a tradition for locals. In this festive atmosphere, friendships are strengthened and cooperation deepens. China and Greece’s lasting historical civilizations and the proximity of their peoples are ready to become a model for the world.
