Kunqu Opera artists perform Legend of the White Snake. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
On Monday, the 2025 "Golden Snake Greets the New Year" Spring Festival activities, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Greece, and the local government of Piraeus kicked at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus. The event attracted a large audience, including local residents, overseas Chinese, and international students.
Fang Qiu, the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, extended his New Year's blessings to the guests, stating that China and Greece are good friends and partners in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and in cultural exchanges and mutual learning. The blending of China's festive red with Greece's tranquil blue allowed people from both countries to experience the unique charm of the Spring Festival together.
Beijing Dance Academy dancers perform on the stage. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre of China performed an excerpt from the Kunqu Opera "The Legend of the White Snake," which had just won the Asian Arts Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, marking the first time a Chinese Kunqu opera has received such an award.
The Tian Dance Troupe of Beijing Dance Academy presented their award-winning work "Dance With Me", which recreates the ancient romance of the Book of Songs through Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) terracotta figures.
Chinese and Greek artists perform together. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Greek artists also contributed wonderful performances. Konitopoulos Veggelis, a famous Greek folk musician and singer, conveyed a beautiful pursuit of healthy and harmonious life through his songs. Programs co-operated by Chinese and Greek artists, such as "Jasmine Flower", "Children of Piraeus", and "Ode to Joy", repeatedly pushed the atmosphere to its climax.
Wang Hongtao, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, delivered a speech and introduced Beijing's latest entry tourism policies and cultural tourism resources, warmly welcoming Greek friends to visit Beijing.
