By K J M VarmaBeijing, Jan 20 (PTI) China will organise various eventsaround the world to celebrate the Lunar New Year or SpringFestival, as part of its soft power push to highlight Chineseculture and traditions.
Spring Festival is the most important festival in theChinese calendar, which falls on February 16. It also marksthe eve of the Chinese New Year.
Celebrations traditionally begin from New Year's Eve andlast until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the firstlunar month.
This year China bids farewell to the year of Rooster andwelcome the year of Dog.
In the Chinese lunar calendar, years are grouped into a12-year cycle, with each year assigned to an animal symbolsincluding rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep,monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
China aims to introduce its traditional culture andcontemporary values to the international community and promotethe building of a community with a shared future for mankind,the ruling Communist Party of China said today.
Spring Festival activities such as parades, lanterndisplays, performances, sports events, forums, and tourism andsales promotions will be held in many countries around theworld.
A series of publications, including books, films andanimations, will be created for overseas audiences to helpthem understand the history and traditions of the festival.
PTI KJVUZM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.