RIYADH: The Chinese New Year was joyfully celebrated on Monday night at Riyadh’s Boulevard World, marked by vibrant traditional dances and music performances.
Pan Shihoa, visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time, expressed his delight saying, “It’s the first time I’ve experienced the Chinese New Year atmosphere in Saudi Arabia, and I’m very happy.”
Hailing from Fujian province, Pan, accompanied by friends, expressed excitement at witnessing their culture and traditions highlighted in the festivities, according to Arab News.
“I feel the warmth of friendship and the mutually beneficial cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China,” Pan shared, taking the opportunity to explain the significance of the celebrations to the locals.
This year, the Chinese New Year coincides with Saturday, Feb. 10, heralding the Year of the Dragon.
The festivities at Boulevard World showcased enchanting Chinese ribbon and dragon dances accompanied by traditional music.
Pan explained that the dragon dance, performed during the celebration, symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and the warding off of negative spirits.
Chen Weiqing, China’s ambassador to the Kingdom, inaugurated the festivities.
As part of the celebration, the traditional New Year song “Thousands of Horses Galloping” resonated, symbolizing the unstoppable force of unity.
Pan elaborated on Chinese traditions, noting that celebrations typically span two weeks, extending beyond the seven-day public holiday period. He mentioned observing the Lantern Festival, lion and dragon dances, and theater performances, both in Riyadh and back home in China.
Reflecting on the bustling streets of China during New Year celebrations, Pan found Saudi Arabia equally fascinating. “Saudi Arabia is a mysterious country. This is my first visit here. It holds great potential and is undergoing rapid development. More people will come here for tourism and investment.”
Last year, Riyadh’s Boulevard World also hosted Chinese New Year celebrations, featuring Spring Festival-themed videos on venue screens.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
