A Month of Cultural Delights: Eastern US Prepares for Lunar New Year (Photo: Xinhua/Li Rui)
Celebrating 45 Years of China-US Relations: Cultural Extravaganza in the Eastern United States
A Dazzling Array of Events Awaits as China and US Mark 45 Years of DiplomacyAs the first blooms of spring appear, the Eastern United States is gearing up for a month-long celebration of Chinese culture. In anticipation of the Lunar New Year, which welcomes the Dragon Year on February 10, a stunning variety of events will animate cities from New York to Philadelphia.
At the kickoff ceremony for Happy Chinese New Year which marked 45 years of China-US relations, Ping Huang, the Chinese consul general in New York, joyfully announced the forthcoming celebrations. “Let’s join hands to make all the upcoming events successful and inject more positive energy into the stable, sound, and sustainable development of the China-U.S. relationship,” Huang said. Central to these efforts is bridging cultural gaps between nations. Huang stressed, “To ensure the two major countries can get along, the right perception of each other is more important than anything else. That’s why we need to enhance people-to-people exchanges to deepen our mutual understanding”.
Arts institutions throughout the region are collaborating to present a series of concerts, exhibitions, and educational programs. The New York Philharmonic, having worked with Chinese artists since 2012, will hold its annual New Year gala on February 20. According to Gary Ginstling, President & CEO of New York Philharmonic, this event mirrors their belief that “symphonic music transcends borders and unites people of all cultures”.
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Enriching Lunar New Year Celebrations Across Eastern United States
Simultaneously, the Philadelphia Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and the Bard College Conservatory of Music will showcase Chinese New Year concerts, immersing audiences in traditional and contemporary Chinese music. At their respective Family Day events, the Met, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Lincoln Center will welcome visitors to engage with China’s intangible cultural heritage through interactive exhibits and programming. Â Landmarks such as the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, and the American Dream Mall will share in the festivities through lighting ceremonies, amplifying the cultural harmony.
As families and communities celebrate Chinese New Year, local teams join in. Brooklyn Nets-themed activities, China Institute Lunar New Year family festival, and the ninth-annual Global Chinese New Year Photography Competition. The China National Tourist Office in New York, the Pennsylvania Tourism Department, and the China Institute will hold an ice carnival and Chinese food festival in a groundbreaking partnership. This partnership between Chinese and American organizations shows their togetherness and appreciation for Lunar New Year culture. Harmony underscores this historic custom as the Eastern US prepares for a month of celebration.
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