Residents and visitors of Thessaloniki are preparing to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the beginning of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon on Thursday 22 February. The festivities will begin at 15:00 on Aristotle Square.
The Municipality of Thessaloniki is hosting the public event in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China Friendship Association, Sichuan Province.
Folk festivities will take place as part of the celebration of the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, the Lunar New Year, or otherwise the Spring Festival. Groups of artists will take part in it. For visitors there is a bazaar and thematic performances accompanied by lively music.
The Year of the Dragon in Chinese folklore symbolizes courage, creativity and innovation. Chinese New Year, the first day of the Chinese calendar, falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice and is celebrated for 15 days around the world, with events and festivals taking place not only in the Middle Kingdom, but also in the Chinatowns of the world’s largest cities.
Thessaloniki has its own Chinatown, which is located in the western part of the city on Aisopou Street.
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