On Feb.6, a big celebration of Chinese New year was held in Lasipalatsi Square, Helsinki.
Chinese traditional activities, e.g, Dragon Dance, Yangge Dance, festival celebrating songs, were performed. Chinese new years’ food was also sold to people who came to the square.
Fireworks were played to welcome the first minute of Chinese New Year, 2008, a Rat year.
The mayor of Helsinki city and the Chinese ambassador greeted all of Chinese people and Finnish people in Finland to have a successful new year.
This great celebration was supported and financed by Helsinki Culture Center, China embassy in Finland, Finnair, Kone, Elcoteq and Helsingin Sanomat.
After the celebration in Lasipalatsi square, other activities are continued for about one week e.g., Chinese movies, arts exhibition and concert.
This celebration and other activities sent seasonal greetings to those Chinese people who had their Chinese New Year abroad. Finnish people also got a nice chance to appreciate the traditional Chinese New Year’s customs.
It is the second time to have this Chinese New Year celebration in Lasipalatsi Square, Helsinki. Last time was for year 2007.
Synocus’ information: The Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese Calendar. The Chinese calendar is based on a 12-year animal rotation. According to the Chinese horoscope, the Year of the Rat begins on 7 February of the current year. People born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be great charmers, creative, generous, wise and honest but also ambitious perfectionists.