Light show and performance marks Chinese New Year in northeast Brazil
By Bi Mengying
People's Daily app
1674197109000

For the second consecutive year, Recife, capital of Brazil's northeast Pernambuco state, celebrated the Chinese New Year. The event took place on January 19 at Marco Zero Square, treating local residents to an amazing light show and performance.

Photos by Bi Mengying, People’s Daily

Recife approved a bill establishing the Chinese New Year as official holiday in the city last year. Yan Yuqing, Chinese consul general in Recife, said that making the Chinese New Year an official holiday is an acknowledgment of the contributions made by the Chinese community to the development of Recife. “The performance shows the cultural exchange between China and Brazil, and also the friendship between the people of the two countries.”

The light show projected videos about Chinese New Year’s culture and tradition showcasing elements such as red lanterns, the character fu and rabbits. The videos also highlighted promos of Guangzhou and Chengdu, which are sister cities of Recife.

The building of the Commercial Association of Pernambuco (ACP) has a history of 183 years. It is the main stage for the light show. Tiago Carneiro, president of the ACP told the People’s Daily that the building is of historic and cultural significance to Recife. Having the light show hosted at the building shows respect for the Chinese community’s culture and tradition, as well as their value of the friendship.

In addition to the light show, the event showcased traditional Chinese performances such as lion dancing, kungfu, Chinese singing and dancing performances, as well as the Brazilian dance maracatu.