On January 26, 2025, the “Joyful Spring Festival · Sichuan Lanterns Light Up the World” UAE tour kicked off at the beloved Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. The opening ceremony was attended by Zhou Biao, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, who delivered a heartfelt speech. The event was guided by the UAE China Cultural Center and Sichuan Cultural Industry Investment Group, and jointly organized by Sichuan Zhuhong Lantern Cultural Art Co. Ltd. and the Middle East Chinese Academy.
Highlights of the Lantern Exhibition
The exhibition features three captivating themes—“Flavors of Chinese New Year,” “Heritage of China,” and “Impressions of China”—combining traditional half-relief lantern-making techniques with modern design concepts. Iconic elements such as dragon and lion dances, Spring Festival couplets, red lanterns, pandas, Sanxingdui relics, Du Fu’s poetry, Sichuan opera face-changing, Shu embroidery, and oil-paper umbrellaswere crafted into intricate lantern displays. Alongside these installations, bilingual (Chinese and English) placards provided insightful explanations, enabling visitors to appreciate both the artistry and cultural essence of China.
A Celebration of Culture and Friendship
During the lighting ceremony, youth from the Middle East Chinese Academy performed Chinese songs and dances, symbolizing the warm friendship between the two nations. Performances of the Arabic oud, Chinese guzheng, and Sichuan opera brought an enchanting mix of cultures to the stage. The lively Chinese New Year Cultural Marketadded a festive touch, with interactive activities like Hanfu dressing, woodblock painting, paper cutting, and calligraphy attracting enthusiastic participation from UAE residents.
Adding to the cultural exchange, the event hosted a “My Hometown and I” Chinese-Arab Youth Art Exhibition, showcasing over 100 paintings. These artworks reflected the young artists’ love for their hometowns and exchanged heartfelt invitations and blessings across borders.
Event Duration
The lantern exhibition will illuminate Umm Al Emarat Park until February 1, 2025, before moving to Dubai for the “Joyful Spring Festival Lantern Festival” on February 7, 2025. The tour aims to spread the joy of the Year of the Snake to a wider audience, sharing warm Spring Festival wishes with local residents and the Chinese community in the UAE.
This unique cultural celebration highlights the growing friendship between China and the UAE, fostering mutual appreciation through the beauty of Sichuan’s lantern tradition and the essence of Chinese New Year.
