Islamabad; 16 Jan 2020 – China Cultural Center in Pakistan organized two different activities on the occasion of Chinese Spring Festival in Islamabad i.e. (i) Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition and (ii) Happy Chinese New Year Gala performances.
This event was organized by China Cultural Center in Pakistan, Co-organized by Overseas Chinese Association in Pakistan and Department of Culture and Tourism of Hebei Province of China to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival Gala Performances in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
An exhibition of “Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage” was display in the main lobby of Art Gallery on Thursday 16 Jan 2020, offering Pakistani people insight into China’s rich and abundant art and Intangible culture. The exhibition showcased the latest development in achievements of the Chinese handicrafts, which is the most intuitive expression of vitality and charm of the traditional Chinese culture.
The exhibition featured different sets of the latest creative works of Egg Carving, Dishili Kite, Yu County Paper Cutting, Wuqiang New Year Painting, Chinese Hengshui Inside-painting, Chinese Calligraphy and Chinese Tea Art which also represent the Chinese-style & folklore.
Besides the display of exhibition, renowned Chinese artists gave the demonstration about their creation on the spot in the area of their art & craft to the visitors. The exhibition was open for general public.
35 Artists travelled to Pakistan from Hebei province of China who presented variety of Chinese Musical & Dance in Gala Performances on 16th January, 2020 in the theatre of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Islamabad.
New Year and Spring Festival is the grandest festival in China, with a 7-day long holiday. As the most colorful annual event, the traditional celebration lasts longer, up to two weeks.
China during this period is dominated by iconic red lanterns, loud fireworks, massive banquets and parades, and the festival even triggers exuberant celebrations across the globe.
Unlike the universal New Year observed on January 1st, Chinese New Year is never on a fixed date. In 2020 Chinese New Year festival falls on Jan. 25. It is the Year of the Rat according to the Chinese zodiac, which features a 12-year cycle with each year represented by a specific animal. People born in the Years of the Rat including 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008 will experience their Zodiac Year of Birth (Ben Ming Nian). “Rats are clever, quick thinkers; successful, but content with living a quiet and peaceful life,”
On the occasion of Chinese New Year, every house is decorated with the most favored color, the bright Red – red lanterns, Chinese knots, Spring Festival couplets, ‘Fu’ character pictures, and red window paper-cuts. All Chinese people manage to make their way home at the latest by New Year’s Evening, for a reunion dinner with the whole family. New clothes are also believed to bring good luck and start over fresh. People will add new red clothing to their Spring Festival wardrobe too. The essential course on all Chinese menus for a reunion dinner will be a steamed or braised whole fish, representing a surplus every year. Various kinds of meat, vegetable, and seafood are made into dishes with auspicious meanings. Dumplings are indispensable for northerners, while rice cakes for southerners. The night is spent enjoying this feast along with cheerful family talk and laughter.
H.E Mr. Zhang Heqing, Cultural Counselor of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan and Dr. Fridous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Information & Broadcasting attended the event as Chief Guest.Ms. Fouzia Saeed, Director General PNCA, Mr. Li Yanxuan, Deputy Director China Cultural Center in Pakistan, and 500-plus diverse audience comprised of Chinese students from different universities and respected Government & private media groups were also present.
Chinese Spring Festival Gala performances include folk dances, instrumental, acrobatics and singing performances will be main attraction for public.
Culture is a bond uniting people of China and Pakistan, and we are here tonight to have a glimpse of this colorful culture in performances by artists from Peoples Republic of China.
Through such activities, China and Pakistan hope to boost strong friendly ties and enhance mutual understanding and forthcoming development between the peoples of the two countries.
