Chinese Spring Festival in Belarus

The Belarusian-Chinese relations have long gone beyond traditional diplomacy. Thanks to the dialogue at the highest level they have developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership. The most notable steps towards each other are made in the field of business and investment, but the most sincere contacts arise from the interest in a country’s culture.

Belarus and China exchange arts festivals, cultural events and tours of performers, study the languages of each other. In 2015 Belarus celebrated the Chinese New Year in a big way for the first time. The idea caught on, and probably will become another friendly tradition.

This February, for the second time, Minsk hosted many events to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Cui Qiming said: "We have many things in common. Many Chinese celebrate New Year twice, in keeping with the European and Chinese traditions. Your country too has its own beautiful spring holiday – Maslenitsa. This year I will definitely join the celebrations."

Belarusian Culture Minister Boris Svetlov noted that the celebrations of Chinese Spring Festival in Minsk gave a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the results of cultural cooperation between the two countries. "An agreement on establishment of culture centers in Minsk and Beijing was signed last year during the visit of China President Xi Jinping to Belarus. The centers will open soon. Their opening will be just one in a multitude of events held in Belarus and China."

Photos of Chinese Spring Festival celebrations in Minsk are available in our gallery.