by Xinhua writer Chen Wenxian
JERUSALEM, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A series of cultural events were held lately in Israel to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival.
Some performing delegations from China presented Chinese traditional dances, songs and music. Both Chinese and Israeli people had the opportunities to enjoy rich cultural activities held during the festival.
A grand Chinese New Year reception was held last Friday by the Chinese Embassy in Israel in Suzanne Dellal Center located in Israeli central city of Tel Aviv. More than 400 overseas Chinese, employees working in Chinese companies and Chinese students, together with some Israeli people, attended the reception.
Suzanne Dellal Center was decorated with red Chinese lanterns, and a pair of large Chinese traditional dancing lions stood at the entrance of the center to welcome guests. Many of the guests wore Chinese traditional clothes, such as cheongsam, and wished each other a good and lucky new year.
A performance with the theme of "Dunhuang Rhyme and Silk Road Feelings" was presented by the Gansu Provincial Troupe of Song and Dance from northwestern China.
The troupe staged traditional dances of the Chinese Han and Tang dynasties, Chinese national instrumental music Suona solo "Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix," and some cheerful songs as well.
The passionate dance "Festivity" expressed the expectations and visions of a better life for the New Year. The troupe also presented the traditional dance "Thousand-hands and Thousand-eyes Bodhisattva."
Prior to the performance, Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhan Yongxin reviewed the tremendous achievements of China last year, hailing the deepened ties between China and Israel.
"Both sides continued to push forward the development in the areas of politics, economy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchange," said Zhan, adding that more and more Israelis have had the opportunities to enjoy Chinese traditional culture and even participate in various cultural activities.
"It was so glad to see that the exchanges between China and Israel have become more frequent and more Israelis have learned and enjoyed Chinese culture," said Zhao Qiang, director of the Federation of Overseas Chinese in Israel.
In order to share Chinese traditional culture with more Israelis, Gansu Provincial Troupe of Song and Dance on Saturday also presented traditional dance, songs and music in the Suzanne Dellal Center.
During the Spring Festival, Chinese and Israeli people also enjoyed the Chinese modern and popular arts. Beijing Modern Dance Company performed last Tuesday and Wednesday also in Suzanne Dellal Center the dance of "Blooming of Time."
On the eve of the Chinese New Year, the China Cultural Center in Tel Aviv held a concert and invited the Israelis to enjoy Chinese music performed by Beijing trio and soprano from Loft Peking Lab and arts exhibitions.
Ambassadors to Israel of the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Vietnam were also invited to attend the Chinese New Year concert.
"Congratulate the Chinese people and wish them happy Chinese New Year," Hagai Shagrir, head of Asia and Pacific Bureau of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua in an interview after the concert was over.
The relations between Israel and China would grow stronger, said Shagrir, adding that "every year we manage to reach new peaks and I expect this year to be even a better year for Israel and China."
