For the first time in its history, Moscow has celebrated the Chinese New Year on a large scale. Dancing Dragons to the tune of lively Eastern melodies, Lion fights, a Chinese street food fair, and a tea ceremony attracted almost as many people to the festive venues as on a regular New Year’s. Hundreds of thousands of Muscovites and guests of the capital got a taste of the culture of Russia’s eastern neighbor.
Dragons danced just like in China
New Year according to the Chinese calendar has never been celebrated so widely in our country before. We used to have more than enough of our own – regular and old New Year’s. But this time Moscow plunged into the festive atmosphere of China. Why? The secret is simple – this year marks 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. Plus, the political situation played a role – our country is turning towards the East, expanding trade and tourist contacts with the Celestial Empire.
The New Year celebrations kicked off on February 9 in Kamergersky Lane. The festival was opened by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Russia, Zhang Hanhwei. The diplomat thanked for the support of the main Chinese holiday and announced that it will soon be included in the list of UN holidays.
And from that moment on, social media was filled with selfies against the backdrop of red lanterns, fans, dragons, and pandas. Such colorfulness was unexpected, and almost all activities (master classes, dances, and more) were conducted by real Chinese. It turned out that there are many of them in Moscow – for the most part, they are students of Moscow universities.
Chinese people came to the celebration as ordinary visitors. It was interesting for them to compare how the New Year is celebrated in their homeland and how it was done in Moscow. And they were convinced: it really turned out just like in China: bright, noisy, and fun.
“Yes, yes, we also have dragon dances, tea ceremonies, and performances by dancers and singers,” said one of the citizens of China. “And your Chinese lanterns are just like ours. And most importantly – here you can eat our traditional dishes to your heart’s content.”
By the way, not only the Chinese citizens wanted to feast on traditional Beijing duck and Chinese waffles with ice cream, but also Russians. There were queues of 40-50 people at each kiosk with exotic street food.
We are different, but it’s more interesting to be friends
Muscovites and guests of the capital from other regions were captivated by the impressions.
“The children are delighted,” said residents of St. Petersburg Vladimir and Ksenia. “Now, in general, such a political situation that only Chinese is relevant. At the festival, we touched the culture of China and understood: we are so different! But this is also interesting. We need to be friends.” The impressions were enough for everyone. Muscovites especially liked the Dragon dance.
“We arrived early, before the start of the performance, managed to take a seat and had a blast!” said Lyudmila, a resident of Cheremushki. “And also, in the crowd, we managed to grab the Dragon by the tail. Knowledgeable people said that this is how it should be done – then luck will accompany you in the New Year.”
In the final days of the festival, specialists from China held the most unusual master class in Kamergersky Lane – applying makeup for masks. Exactly like those of the Peking Opera.
Visitors to the Moscow Zoo came in panda costumes. Photo: AiF/ Eduard Kudravitskiy
It’s Interesting
Now a Russian holiday
In addition to Kamergersky Lane, the venues for celebrating the Chinese New Year were Tverskaya Square, Novy Arbat, VDNKh. And also “Aptekarsky Ogorod.” Here, “in greenhouse conditions,” the festive atmosphere was particularly authentic. Although it would be a mistake to think that the Celestial Empire is a warm country. In the north of China, for example in Manchuria, the frosts can be even harsher than in Siberia. But the Chinese paper lanterns, hung in the middle of palm trees and vines, created a unique aura. And here, too, artists from China performed – fan dancers, performers of folk music, and master classes on Chinese painting were held.
Even the Moscow Zoo marked the festive events. The educational and entertaining program “Chinese New Year. Pandas and other animals of Asia” took place there. Visitors got to know the pandas Zhui and Dindin – living and fluffy incarnations of the national treasure of the Celestial Empire.
Muscovites liked the Chinese New Year so much that they now call it nothing but “the new Russian holiday” in the capital. Everyone who took part in the celebrations is sure: it should now be celebrated regularly.
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