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Diverse Chinese New Year celebrations to be expected around the UK

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A series of celebrations are set to kick off around the UK as the Chinese New Year approaches. Representatives from London, Bristol and Jersey, as well as companies and cultural organizations, gathered on Thursday at the Culture Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, to mark the beginning of the events.

Zhao Fei, minister of Chinese Embassy in the UK, delivered a speech, saying "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations had attracted many British people in recent years, adding that through the celebrations, the people of the UK can better understand the Chinese culture.

Zhao Fei, minister of Chinese Embassy in the UK, is delivering a speech at the event introducing the Chinese New Year Celebrations. /CGTN Europe
Zhao Fei, minister of Chinese Embassy in the UK, is delivering a speech at the event introducing the Chinese New Year Celebrations. /CGTN Europe

Zhao Fei, minister of Chinese Embassy in the UK, is delivering a speech at the event introducing the Chinese New Year Celebrations. /CGTN Europe

China's Spring Festival, or more widely known as the Chinese New Year, was added to the UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2024. A number of China's cultural practices and performances on the intangible cultural heritage list, such as Kunqu Opera, Guqin, Calligraphy, Paper Cut, were also featured at the event, giving the guests a close insight to Chinese traditions.

Li Liyan, minister counsellor for cultural affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, was hosting the event. /CGTN Europe
Li Liyan, minister counsellor for cultural affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, was hosting the event. /CGTN Europe

Li Liyan, minister counsellor for cultural affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, was hosting the event. /CGTN Europe

The main events to be held in the UK during the Chinese New Year are:

On January 28, the Spring Festival Eve, the London Eye will be lit up in red to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake.

Between January 27 and February 9, 50 buses in London will be decorated with a "Hello, China" advertisement. The buses will drive around the landmarks in London, including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Square and St. Paul's Cathedral, bringing the New Year wishes to the people living in the capital.

Camden Market will hold Chinese New Year celebrations for the first time starting February 1. Troupes of acrobatics, magicians and dancers will be invited to Camden Market, together with a flower boat parade. The organizers will also invite companies to introduce tourism around China to the visitors.

A family photo of the guests and artists at the event. /CGTN Europe
A family photo of the guests and artists at the event. /CGTN Europe

A family photo of the guests and artists at the event. /CGTN Europe

The Chinese New Year parade will continue at Trafalgar Square, China Town and Leicester Square on February 2. From February 4 to 10, the residents of Chongqing and London will have an opportunity to meet each other via live events, as huge screens in both cities will livestream the celebrations.

A number of concerts are also expected in London. On February 9, a concert featuring traditional Chinese instruments as well as a Western orchestra will be held in the Royal Academy of Music. On February 10, a concert by students from London and Qingdao will be held in Mansion House of City London.

Outside of London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Jersey, York, Bristol and Derbyshire are holding diverse Chinese New Year celebrations. 

For example, in York, people will be able to see a pop-up event featuring traditional Chinese clothes, Hanfu, while in Derbyshire, Chatsworth House, known among the Chinese tourists as the setting for the film of Pride and Prejudice, will be decorated to mark the Chinese New Year.

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