China and Sri Lanka celebrate Lantern Festival with cultural splendor

On February 24, 2024, the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the Lantern Festival, the “Happy Chinese New Year, Joyful Bayu Style” series of celebrations was successfully held at the BMICH in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, with the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism as the host, the event attracted nearly a thousand attendees, including the Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, representatives from the Sri Lankan government, diplomats from Nepal, Pakistan, and other countries, Chinese nationals, overseas Chinese, and people from all walks of life in Sri Lanka.

The audience enjoyed a spectacular performance titled “Happy Chinese New Year, Happy Bayu Style,” featuring a variety of traditional and contemporary Chinese and Sri Lankan cultural performances. From lively dances like “The Sun Comes Out and Beams” to soulful musical renditions such as “The Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,” and captivating acts like the Sichuan Opera facechanging, the show dazzled with its rich cultural tapestry.

Additionally, an exhibition showcasing the picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Chongqing, along with displays of intangible cultural heritage items from various districts, further enriched the cultural exchange experience. The event concluded on a high note, leaving the audience deeply impressed and eager for more cultural exchanges in the future.