On February 3rd to 4th, the "Dragon Dance into the New Year" Zodiac Flash Mob and Happy Spring Festival, organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and hosted by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center, were successfully held in the distant capital of Mexico City! The 2024 "Dragon Dance into the New Year" Zodiac Flash Mob from Beijing participated as the main organizer in the China New Year Cultural Festival at the National Arts Center of Mexico and the Reform Avenue Dragon Year Bicycle Zodiac Decoration Contest, bringing cultural performances, dragon dances, and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions to the people of Mexico City, receiving a warm welcome from the local residents. The event attracted 20,000 local spectators who joined in dancing with the Chinese dragon, celebrating the Chinese New Year together!

National Arts Center of Mexico

Unprecedented splendor of the China New Year Cultural Festival

On the morning of February 3rd, the opening ceremony of the China New Year Cultural Festival and the third "Dragon Dance into the New Year" at the National Arts Center of Mexico, coinciding with the Chinese lunar calendar's Little New Year, was grandly launched. The event was attended by Zhang Run, the Ambassador of China to Mexico, Pang Wei, the Chief Inspector of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Frausto, the Minister of Culture of Mexico, Rios, the Director of the Federal Legal Counsel's Office of Mexico, Sebastian, a Mexican sculptor, and other dignitaries.

Artists from China and Mexico showcase their talents on stage

Foreign and Chinese guests enjoyed artistic performances from Beijing. The event kicked off with the vibrant atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, featuring drumbeats, lion dances, and the lively celebration of "Nao Xin Chun" (New Year's hustle and bustle). The dragon, a spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation, was showcased through a dynamic kung fu dance titled "Dragon Rhyme" performed by disciples of Jackie Chan. This performance portrayed the strength and dignity of the Chinese dragon, reflecting the unique charm of Chinese kung fu. At the event, Chinese musicians performed classic pieces such as "Dragon Boat," "Horse Racing," "Dance of the Golden Snake," and "Jasmine," collaborating with Mexican violinists on stage to present "The Descendant of the Dragon." The outstanding performance captivated the audience, drawing cheers from thousands of spectators.

Double exhibition shines on blue veranda avenue

Concurrently held at the National Arts Center of Mexico were the Global Auspicious Zodiac Design Competition (Year of the Dragon) and the "Hello, Beijing" Photo Exhibition. Pang Wei presented Sebastian, a specially invited artist, with an art collection certificate for the Global Auspicious Zodiac Design Competition. The exhibition will run for a month, using rich visual language to interpret the auspicious symbolism of Chinese dragon culture.

"Highlighting the Dragon" in Mexico City flash mob

Pang Wei, Ambassador Zhang Run, and Minister of Culture of Mexico Frausto added the final touches to the dragon in a flash mob at the Beijing Intangible Cultural Heritage Temple Fair in Beijing, further elevating the festive atmosphere.

Inheritors of intangible cultural heritage showcase dazzling skills

Chinese and foreign guests experienced traditional Beijing activities such as spinning tops, shadow puppetry, and the "Dragon and Phoenix" characters. For the first time, the event combined sugar painting with Beijing's traditional sugar-coated haws on a stick, allowing local residents to savor authentic Beijing delicacies. The inheritors of intangible cultural heritage demonstrated their exquisite skills, receiving praise from the guests.

Cross-border couple performed "Welcome to Beijing"

Chinese girl Miao Miao and Mexican musician Mao Dou, invited as a cross-border couple, reminisced about their joyful times in China and shared their experiences and feelings about China and Beijing. They introduced 11 themes and 88 emerging cultural and tourist destinations in Beijing, providing foreign friends with a fresh understanding of Beijing. Their rendition of "Welcome to Beijing" extended an invitation from China to the audience, earning enthusiastic applause from the guests.

Chinese zodiac dragon "roams" on reform avenue in Mexico City

On February 4th, the seventh Reform Avenue Dragon Year "Bicycle Zodiac Decoration Contest" took place at the Independence Angel Monument roundabout on Reform Avenue in Mexico City. Pang Wei, on behalf of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, congratulated the successful hosting of the seventh edition of the contest. On the 15th anniversary of the twinning of Beijing and Mexico City as friendly cities, he sent New Year blessings and extended an invitation to Mexican friends to visit Beijing, China. Pang Wei also presented the Mexico City External Affairs Office with a themed print titled "Heart of the Child" and, alongside Ambassador Zhang Run and others, judged and awarded the participants.

The 2024 "Dragon Dance into the New Year" Zodiac Flash Mob from Beijing brought cultural performances such as traditional music, kung fu, dance, and spinning tops to the citizens of Mexico City, once again creating a sensation with more than 1,500 local residents stopping to watch and cheer.

"Dragon dance celebrates Chinese New Year" flash mob at Mexico City landmarks, capturing nationwide attention

During the event, a flash mob featuring the zodiac animal of the dragon danced through the streets of Mexico City, making surprise appearances at various landmarks and delighting locals, as they joined in celebrating the oldest and most festive of traditional Chinese holidays – the Spring Festival. The filming crew documented the entire journey, culminating in a special feature film released during the Lantern Festival of 2024. The film will commence with the Great Wall of China and soar towards the Mayan pyramids of the Americas, including Machu Picchu, traversing millennia of culture, all while dancing alongside the Chinese dragon!

China, Mexico, and Peru each boast rich civilizations and profound cultures. In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Beijing and Lima, the "Dragon Dance Celebrates Chinese New Year" flash mob event injected more cultural vitality into the development of China-Latin America relations, fostering a dialogue of exchange between the civilizations of China and those of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. These four great civilizations shine in mutual reflection, each showcasing its unique beauty and sharing in the collective splendor!

Translator: ZHANG Bo

Reviewer: JIANG Wenyi