Xinhua News Agency, Recife, Brazil, January 21. Five-star red flags, rabbit lanterns, paper-cut window grilles, and Chinese dolls... On the evening of January 19 local time, the landmark Zero Square in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state in northeast Brazil , a Chinese New Year performance of the Year of the Rabbit with a strong New Year flavor set off a climax amidst cheers and applause.
This Spring Festival of the Year of the Rabbit is the first time the city of Recife celebrates the Spring Festival as an official holiday!
In September 2022, the Recife City Council passed a bill to include the Chinese Spring Festival in the official calendar of the city, and Mayor João Campos signed the formal legislation.
City Councilor Cida Pedrosa, who proposed the bill, told Xinhua News Agency that when one culture meets another, it will flow and show vitality. Brazilians often think from Chinese New Year zodiac signs And looking ahead to the year ahead.
The light show is the highlight of this celebration.
The "Happy Year of the Rabbit" broadcast in Chinese and Portuguese, and the Spring Festival-themed animation video with ancient buildings as the "curtain" attracted the attention of the people present. Accompanied by the festive gongs and drums, the square was filled with a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
Actors perform a lion dance at the Chinese New Year celebration in Recife, Brazil, Jan. 19.
Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Paul Lopez)
Recife is a famous port city in Brazilian history.
Pedrosa said that projecting videos spreading Chinese culture on ancient buildings in Recife symbolizes the contact and integration of Brazilian culture and Chinese culture.
"The encounter between one culture and another is like using our ancient buildings to display China's light show, and it's like the encounter of two cultures at the port." Pedrosa said, "This is What a beautiful thing!"
Actors perform dances during a Chinese New Year celebration in Recife, Brazil, Jan. 19.
Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Paul Lopez)
Recife, Chengdu and Guangzhou are sister cities.
City promotional videos of Chengdu and Guangzhou also appeared on the light show that day.
According to Yan Yuqing, the Chinese Consul General in Recife, the contribution of the local Chinese community and Chinese-funded enterprises in recent years has won the recognition of the local government for overseas Chinese, which has led to the inclusion of the Chinese New Year in the official calendar.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, local overseas Chinese and Chinese-funded enterprises have generously donated materials to the city of Recife and donated food to the poor, which has been recognized by the local government and people.
"Here today, we see the blending of Chinese and Pakistani cultures, and the sublimation of China-Pakistan friendship. We hope that we can use the festive and happy Spring Festival atmosphere to dispel the haze of the epidemic, and let the sun shine into everyone's future!" Yan Yuqing said.
At the end of the Spring Festival performance, Yan Yuqing joined the chorus of the Confucius Institute at the University of Pernambuco and sang "Unforgettable Tonight" together.
On January 19, people enjoy the light show during the Chinese New Year celebration in Recife, Brazil.
Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Paul Lopez)
It was indeed an unforgettable night for the thousands of Chinese and Pakistani people who watched the Chinese New Year celebrations at Zero Point Square!
(Reporters: Zhao Yan, Luo Jingjing, Chen Yao; Video: Chen Yao; Editors: Sun Hao, Cheng Dayu, Wang Zhao, Ding Ying, Wang Longqin)
Produced by the International Department of Xinhua News Agency
Produced by Xinhua News Agency International Communication Integration Platform