Festival in honor of the Chinese New Year opened in Moscow
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The festival "Chinese New Year in Moscow" has opened in the Russian capital. The event will unite two dozen locations: Manezhnaya, Tverskaya and Bolotnaya squares, Kamergersky and Stoleshnikov lanes, Tverskaya Boulevard, Novy Arbat, VDNKh. This was announced by Deputy Mayor Natalia Sergunina.
The festival is part of the cross program of events within the framework of the Years of Culture of Russia and China and will last until February 9.
The opening ceremony of the festival was attended by Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation, and Deputy Mayor of Moscow Natalia Sergunina.
"A rich and interesting program is also waiting for us in the next two weeks. More than 400 events are planned - theatrical performances, master classes, lectures, film screenings and tea ceremonies. The central streets were decorated with light installations", - said Sergunina.
According to Zakharova, "the festival's events are aimed at making Russians and Chinese more familiar with each other's customs and traditions." "A colorful program awaits guests, which will last 13 days. Last year the festival was held for the first time, but already then it was visited by more than 700 thousand people. I think this year the record will be broken," emphasized the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
On the main platform of the festival - Manezhnaya Square - there will be performances with the participation of Chinese artists. In festive chalets, stylized as pagodas, visitors will be offered traditional cuisine - from Hong Kong waffles to Peking duck. And those who wish will be able to play xiangqi - an analog of chess.
Tea ceremonies and culinary competitions will be organized on Tverskaya Square, VDNKh will hold dance master classes on the skating rink and thematic excursions. And the Moscow Zoo invites you to watch immersive shows and documentaries about its inhabitants, including pandas.
Zhang Hanhui added that last year the Russian capital celebrated the Spring Festival for the first time. "Russia also brightly celebrated Pancake Day in Beijing, Xi'an and other Chinese cities, which was to the liking of the Chinese people. The holding of traditional holidays by China and Russia in each other's countries contributes to further strengthening mutual understanding and ties between us," the ambassador said confidently.