On February 10 2024, Chinese New Year was celebrated in Switzerland Park. The event was co-organized by the Nizhny Novgorod Branch of "Russia-China Friendship Association" with the support of the Ministry of International and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
The Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kazan Xiang Bo sent his video greeting to the participants of the event. The International and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod region Minister Olga Guseva also addressed the guests with a welcoming speech and congratulations.
"This year we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and we are also launching the Year of Culture between Russia and China. Our Consulate General is ready to further strengthen ties with the Nizhny Novgorod region, promote the strengthening of traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the Nizhny Novgorod region and the regions of China, thereby contributing to the further development of China-Russia relations," Xiang Bo noted.
According to the Ministry of International and Interregional Relations, the Nizhny Novgorod region already has six partner regions in China: Anhui, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi provinces and the city of Chongqing. Municipalities of Nizhny Novgorod region have seven Chinese twin cities, including 3 of Nizhny Novgorod: Jinan, Harbin and Hefei.
"We actively cooperate with Chinese regions in a variety of fields, including industry or education. Thanks to the expansion of our cooperation with China, today we have a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich Chinese culture and traditions, the most striking of which is the celebration of the New Year - the Spring Festival. I wish all participants of the celebration to achieve their goals and fulfill their cherished wishes. Let the Chinese New Year be a time of joyful communication, inspiration and creativity," Olga Guseva said.
International students of National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN), Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University, Linguistic University of Nizhny Novgorod (LUNN), Glinka Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatoire and National Research University Higher School of Economics. (HSE) took an active part in the event.
Participants held a tea ceremony, workshops on Chinese knotting and Chinese characters and showed mask painting to the guests of the event.
There was also a concert with Russian and foreign students at the Children's Center.
The importance of this event was noted by the Rector of Minin University and Chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Branch of "Russia-China Friendship Association" Victor Sdobnykov.
"Today there is nothing more important in our country's foreign policy than strengthening Russia-China relations: both at the level of provinces, cities, enterprises, and at the level of interaction between people. The task of Nizhny Novgorod Branch of "Russia-China Friendship Association" is to develop exactly the humanitarian direction. Since the beginning of this year we have already held several events that united students of our two countries, and the celebration of the Chinese New Year in the main city park allowed us to involve ordinary residents of Nizhny Novgorod, including very young Nizhny Novgorod citizens, in getting acquainted with this country. Our students from China enjoyed communicating with them. Such a format sets up friendly relations and can encourage children and adults, for example, to study the language and culture of our partners, which will contribute to the development of cooperation between Russia and China," emphasized Victor Sdobnyakov.
Afterwards, a costume red dragon parade with traditional masks took place in a Nizhny Novgorod park.
At the end of the event, everyone had an opportunity to skate on the park skating ring.
