Spring Festival major bridge between West Bengal and China

By Rabi Sankar Bosu
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, February 15, 2018
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It's festival time in China! The whole of China is now decorated with festive lanterns to greet the traditional Lunar New Year or Spring Festival 2018, the Year of the Dog, which falls on February 16 this year. 


Happy Spring Festival, a Chinese cultural show celebrating the Year of the Dog comes to Kolkata, capital of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on February 12, 2018.


Historically, the Chinese people have their own unique traditional culture which spawned many traditional festivals, most of which still preserve their grandeur and importance even in today's modern world. Boasting rich cultural meaning and a long history, Chinese New Year is one of the world's most colorful and exuberant events and triggers grand celebrations all across the globe. 


The set of traditions has been passed down over centuries during the month-long festive days: from family reunions to New Year fireworks, temple fairs and performances to dumplings, or "Jiaozi", local delicacy feasts and exchanging gifts. In fact, Spring Festival is the lifeblood of Chinese culture which has the potential to meet the demands of the times.


In recent years, as a powerful international actor, China has been enhancing the country's image to promote Chinese traditions, values, languages, and culture in foreign countries. Surely, Chinese culture has tied other countries with a message of Chinese friendship.


Since 2010, the brand "Happy Chinese New Year" gala, introduced by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, has been staged around the world through the bridge of Spring Festival. The warm welcome from international audiences has made Chinese New Year a branded global cultural communication event. This year, the "Happy Chinese New Year" gala has brightened the stages at over 400 cities in over 130 countries, including 53 countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes.


Happy Spring Festival comes to Kolkata, capital of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. On February 12, 2018, local citizens got a slice of the extravagant New Year celebrations at a Chinese Cultural Show at Kala Mandir Auditorium, Kolkata. The event was organized by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China to promote Chinese culture and to reinvigorate the Indo-Sino friendship. 


Performers from   Liuzhou Arts Theater of Guangxi of China and Guangxi Acrobatic Troupe Co. Ltd brought audiences distinctive dances like the "Blooming of Jasmine," "Flowers Bloom in the Rain," "Thousand-hands Bodhisattva" and "Spirit of the Water" as well as acrobatic performances like "Magic Cube" and "Ballet on Shoulders." The troupes mesmerized Bengal people with their artistic dance, music and solo shows, expressing their New Year wishes to the Indian people.


Towards the end of the show, a good number of viewers made very positive comments after watching the performance, saying it was superb and mind-blowing, and thanked the Chinese Consulate and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for bringing to West Bengal the splendid Chinese singing and dancing.


The friendship between India and China dates back to ancient times, and Kolkata is the joint-link between India and China, two great Asian nations and ancient civilizations. It is believed that the cultural celebrations will make Indian people know more about the diversified and rich culture of China, further deepening cultural cooperation and exchanges between China and West Bengal or the whole India. Undoubtedly, such type of cultural programs will increase people-to-people contacts bridging the gap between the two nations. 


Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, West Bengal, India


Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.


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