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Chinese New Year

Curated & Moderated by:
Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou
Carrying on the festive atmosphere of Christmas, SNF Dialogues series welcomed in the New Year with an event dedicated to the Chinese New Year.
When
Wednesday 30 January 2019, at
Where
Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera
Live
Geography
Culture

On the second day after the new moon, following the winter solstice, red dominates, and the Year of the Dog is succeeded by the Year of the Pig.

On 30 January 2019, Dialogues met China at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Exorcising bad luck and evil spirits, we got to know Chinese culture, its symbolism and traditions.

The first event of the Dialogues series for 2019 hosted an open discussion with the public, and with representatives of the Chinese culture in Greece, on the elements that bridge China and Greece, at the level of history, mentality and traditions, despite the seemingly large distance between the two countries.


In the event participated the speakers:

- Zhang Qiyue, Her Excellency the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece
- Ζu Lijun, Director of Business Confucius Institute at Athens University of Economics and Business
- Angelos Chaniotis, Professor of Ancient History and Classics at the Institute for Advanced Study

In addition, there were live connections with the Embassy of Greece in China with His Excellency Ambassador Leonidas Rokanas, as well as with Professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada and Acting Director of the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies, Dimitris Krallis.

Attendees had the chance to enjoy a traditional program of festivities, including live music, martial arts, dancing with the dragon—China’s most iconic mythical animal—and many other surprises.

Specifically, the Beijing Academy of Dance presented a traditional dance performance and the China National Traditional Orchestra presented a show of traditional music, including a Κunqu opera performance. In addition, the Long Yun Kung Fu group presented a showcase of Tai-Ji. Of course, a celebration of the Chinese New Year would not be complete without the Dance of the Dragon which was presented at the Agora by the Chinese Union in Greece and the Hellenic Wushu Federation.

Promo Video

The SNF Dialogues are curated and moderated by Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou.

*The opinions expressed by the SNF Dialogues participants, whether representing officially institutions and organizations or themselves, are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) or iMEdD. Speakers’ remarks are made freely, without prior guidance or intervention from the team.