Happy Chinese New Year: A Programme of Events
Chinese New Year is celebrated all around the world; in Malta the China Cultural Centre organises its yearly series of activities under the umbrella brand of “Happy Chinese New Year”
The Spring Festival, more commonly known as the Chinese New Year, is the festival which marks the end of the lunar calendar year and celebrates the beginning of a new year. To the Chinese people, the Chinese New Year is the biggest and most important feast. Usually celebrated around the end of January or the beginning of February, it is a time for families to be together. Many Chinese people who work or study away from home will make it a point to return home and be with their families, to eat traditional food together and exchange gifts. Nowadays, Chinese New Year is celebrated all around the world; in Malta the China Cultural Centre organises its yearly series of activities under the umbrella brand of “Happy Chinese New Year”. Besides being a time for families to catch up, the Spring Festival also marks the end of winter and celebrates the coming of spring.
Measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be in place at all times during the HCNY events.
The program of HCNY events is as follows:
Chinese Zodiac Creativity Exhibition - Beat the Odds in the Year of the Ox
This exhibition illustrates the Chinese zodiac culture through colourful and innovative designs in digital art. The exhibition will mainly focus on the legends, myths and symbolism associated with the zodiac animal of the year 2021, the Ox. Those born in the Year of the Ox are thought to be strong, dependable and hard working. This informative online exhibition is a true representation of the traditions related to the Chinese New Year festive culture.
Date: February 4, 2021
Location: China Cultural Centre in Malta Facebook page
Chinese Twelve Zodiac Exhibition
The Chinese Zodiac is composed of a twelve year repeating cycle and each year is represented by its own zodiac animal. This exhibition will illustrate the twelve zodiac animals through digital art surrounding Pjazza Teatru Rjal. It will focus on the legends, myths and symbolism of each of the zodiac animals, namely, the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. People will be able to identify and learn more about their own zodiac animal.
Date: February 4, 2021
Location: Pjazza Teatru Rjal
Streaming of Puccini’s “Turandot”, performed by the China National Opera
The year 2021 was meant to be the year the CCC would invite the China National Opera to Malta, alas, due to the current delicate situation of the world, this was not possible. Nevertheless, the CCC in collaboration with the Mediterranean Conference Centre is bringing Puccini’s final masterpiece,“Turandot”, performed by the China National Opera to everyone’s home. It will be available to stream for free on the 7th of February on the Mediterranean Conference Centre’s official website. In this tale set in mythical China, Princess Turandot will marry the man who can decipher three impossible riddles. Many have tried and many have failed and the price of failure is death by beheading. This extraordinary production direct from Beijing is a grand spectacle filled with dramatic plot twists, huge choruses and one memorable heart breaking melody after another starring the world renowned soprano Yao Hong, tenor Li Shuang and conducted by the masterful Yuan Ding. The Mediterranean Conference Centre will also have a private viewing where the media is invited to attend and the opera will also be aired on ONE TV.
Date: February 7, 2021
Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Mediterranean Conference Centre’s official website, ONE TV
Happy Chinese New Year Online Get-Together
The Happy Chinese New Year Online Get-Together is jointly organised by the CCC and the Confucius Institute in Malta. It will be open to the public, students of the CCC and Chinese cultural enthusiasts. This online get-together will include a quiz with many prizes to be won, as well as, cultural discussions. We invite the participants to share any of their talents with us such as martial arts, song and dance. The event aims to encourage participants to get into the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year and also to take the opportunity to learn something new about China.
Date: February 9, 2021
Location: ZOOM
Happy Chinese New Year - China Film Festival
The 2nd “Happy Chinese New Year – China Film Festival” was organised by the CCC and Spazju Kreattiv whereby six classic Chinese films were selected. “Fist of Legend” stars the marvellous Jet Li in riveting and intricately choreographed kung fu fight scenes. The critically acclaimed “Farewell my Concubine” won numerous awards including the Palme d’Or and Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Set in 1924, the sumptuously colourful cinematography and superbly acted deep emotions are bound to enthral audiences. The films cover a range of genres such as action, thriller, romance, drama and historical fiction. ”Shock Wave”, “Once Upon a Time in Tibet”, “Buddha Mountain” and “The World” will also be screened during this festival. These films allow audiences to understand and explore China’s past and present.
Date: February 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 18, 2021
Location: Spazju Kreattiv
“Imagining China” Children’s Art Exhibition
The 12th “Imagining China” Children’s Art Competition is co-organised by the CCC and the Ministry for Education, sponsored by Shanghai Electric Power (Malta) Holding Ltd. The theme of this competition, “Magnificent China”, was welcomed by the children and boosted bilateral cultural exchange between China and Malta. The CCC was thrilled to receive so many works of art brimming with creativity and conveying children’s wonderful impressions of China and Chinese culture. Selected works from this competition will be exhibited on a weekly basis in an online exhibition on the China Cultural Centre in Malta Facebook Page and other social media platforms.
Date: Beginning from 22 Jan, 2021
Location: Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Instagram and WeChat)
Launch of Personalised Zodiac Stamps of the Chinese New Year of the Ox
A dispatch for all, the New Year of the Ox has arrived! The CCC has commissioned Maltapost to produce five personalised stamps to commemorate the New Year of the Ox. Each individual personalised stamp appropriately contains an artistically designed Ox; each stamp brings out the individuality of the different designs, while exhibiting the core element – the Ox. These personalised stamps are to be accompanied by five Maltese stamps which together will form a sheet. This sheet will then be enclosed in a specially designed folder; decorated with a motif consistent with the Chinese New Year festivities. It will also contain a brief summary of the Chinese New Year, and 2021’s Zodiac animal: the Ox. These stamps represent the emerging concept of bringing events to the community in their own homes, and they are a perfect gift to commemorate the New Year of the Ox. Let us rejoice, winter has come to an end, a new spring has dawned. Those interested in purchasing a folder with a sheet of stamps, or an individual sheet may contact the CCC by sending an email to maltaccc@gmail.com
Launch of Chinese Cultural Classroom
The CCC is creating and compiling a week-long syllabus for secondary students, in which a Chinese theme will be explored in each of their usual subjects such as Maltese, English, history, geography, art, home economics and physical education.
The Lantern Festival Chinese Salon
Apart from CCC members and Chinese cultural enthusiasts, everyone is invited to join The Lantern Festival Chinese Salon organised by the Confucius Institute and the CCC. This Chinese salon event will be held online to celebrate the Lantern Festival that marks the end of the New Year festivities. The activities will be related to Chinese language and Chinese culture. Through this entertaining and interactive activity participants will also learn more about China’s culture and language.
Time: February 26, 2021
Location: ZOOM
