COSTA DEL SOL
The New Year celebrations in Mijas marked the end of China's Year of The Rabbit and the start of the Year of the Dragon
25.01.12 - 11:54 -
Celebrating. Chinese New Year at the Hipódromo.
More than 3,000 people, including hundreds of Malaga province’s Chinese residents, attended Chinese New Year celebrations at the Hipódromo Costa del Sol, the horseracing course in Mijas Costa on Sunday 15th January.
The event, held in honour of the forthcoming Year of the Dragon, which officially begins on 23rd January, was presided over by the People’s Republic of China’s General Consul in Spain, Mr. Dong, the Mayor of Mijas, Ángel Nozal, and representatives from the Chinese Association in Andalucía and the Association of the Qingtián Community in Southern of Spain.
Making no secret of their belief that China’s tourism market is a potentially enormous one for the Costa del Sol, the celebrations were a strategic part of the Town Hall’s plan to foster growth in this area.
In his opening speech, Nozal commented: “Today serves to strengthen the friendship and the trade links between China and Spain, and in particular between China and Mijas.”
Earlier in the day, the Mayor hosted Mr. Dong and his party in Mijas Pueblo, where they were taken on a tour of the well-preserved ‘pueblo blanco’, before receiving locally-produced gifts in a presentation at the Town Hall.
Showtime
Starting at 5 p.m, to coincide with the stroke of midnight in the Chinese capital, the dignitaries and thousands of guests enjoyed various dance and musical performances, including one by the group ‘Jin Fan’.
Described as “25 world-class dancers from Pekín University”, the Jin Fan troupe has recently won China’s prestigious Festival of Dance, turning the members into celebrities in their native country. Their visit was financed by the Chinese Government.
“It was a brilliant show; certainly something you don’t usually see in Mijas! The kids were mesmerised.” said Frank Bailey, who visited the event with his family.
He adds: “I think the more exposure to this kind of thing, where different cultures are on display, the better.
“There is always the temptation for people to stay within their own national groups, the Brits with the Brits, the Scandinavians with the Scandinavians etc, and that creates ghettos, which is not a healthy, long-term prospect for any community.”
Malaga resident Jia Wang, told SUR in English: “All the performances were very good. But the thing I was most impressed to see was the high number of people there who were not Chinese. I think it is great that they wanted to know more about our culture.
“In China, each year is given to a certain animal, such as the horse, the monkey and the rat, and tradition says that these animals then give the characteristics to the people born in that year.
“This year it is the Year of the Dragon, the dragon being the only ‘unreal’ animal in the Chinese zodiac, but it’s a very powerful symbol. People born in a dragon year are said to be hard-working, excessive and flamboyant. They make good business owners, politicians and actors”.
