The Chinese community held celebrations ahead of the Chinese New Year in the capital of Saudi Arabia, 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.
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The owner of the real name Yang Liqin said that the Chinese New Year celebration in Saudi Arabia this time was the one he liked the most as long as he lived in this Muslim-majority country for the last 7 years.
“Every Chinese here feels very grateful to the government of Saudi Arabia for providing an opportunity for us 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.”
Saudi Arabia this year has again allowed the celebration of the Chinese New Year on a large scale in the country. The festivities started on January 14 to 22 at the China Boulevard World Riyadh pavilion.
The event was attended by a large number of visitors, including Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 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, Saudi Arabia aims to promote cultural and artistic exchange and cooperation between the two countries, as well as to increase the understanding of the Saudi people about 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.
The atmosphere of the celebration was filled with joy and happiness as the Chinese citizens celebrated the New Year in a way that was similar to how it’s celebrated back in China. People could be seen wearing traditional Chinese clothing and taking part in traditional Chinese activities. The Chinese community were also thrilled to be able to share their culture with the people of Saudi Arabia.
Watch Video “The atmosphere before Chinese New Year in the Glodok area “
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(wsw/wsw)
