Hundreds joined the Chinese community at the Mediterranean Conference Centre to usher in the Year of the Dog, which is being celebrated worldwide today, with festivities in Asia continuing for around two weeks.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Malta was inspired by the modern derivation of the traditional Chinese spring festival temple fair, rooted in the prized traditional virtue of filial piety, observed by visiting temples to pay respect to ancestors. Nowadays, the fair has evolved into a vibrant hub for all the family, held in every town and city across China – whether in fairgrounds, temple yards or large parks.

Wherever it is held, there is a flamboyant scene of fun and folklore, with colourful decorations and live performances – usually traditional opera and folk arts, energetic dances and lively singing with instrumental accompaniment, acrobatics and illusions.

This atmosphere was recreated on Wednesday at MCC, during the Happy Chinese New Year Festa, organised by the China Cultural Centre Malta and held in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

Apart from the variety show of folk performance arts and live instrumental music by the Zhejiang Wu Opera troupe, the Sacra Infermeria hosted stands where people could try out Chinese dumplings, popular Chinese games and seasonal artisanal and handmade crafts.

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