The Chinese consulate general ushered in the lunar new year with a reception at Taj Bengal. The gathering was attended by members of the Indian Chinese comminity from Tangra and Tirreta Bazar and the local Buddhist community, educators and guests from Cheena Bhavana, Visva Bharati.
“The last year was not easy for any of us. The spring festival is a time for renewal, when we ring out the old and ring in the new. It is a time to start everything afresh. The Year of the Rabbit is upon us,” Zha Liyou, the consul general, said in his address.
He also welcomed the offsprings of the Tangra Chinese families who were back from Canada to join their families in Calcutta. “The spring festival is a time of unity and blessings,” he added.
His address was followed by a cultural programme in which both Indian and Chinese musical traditions were represented.
A drum and cymbal show by Hong De Sports Association, led by James Liao (centre)
A lion roars in course of the dance
Imran Zaki and French consul general Didier Talpain
Namit Bajoria, honorary consul of Macedonia, and Ekaterina Lazareva, head of protocol at the Russian consulate genera
Li Shuyue, a staff member of the consulate, plays guzheng, a traditional string instrument
A performance by Visva Bharati students
Australian deputy consul general Daniel Sim
Sharad Khaitan, honorary consul of El Salvador, with Shahenshah Mirza