China’s Ministry of Culture launched Happy Chinese New Year event at the 15th Muscat Art Festival on Jan, 27, 2015. Yu Fulong, China’s ambassador to Oman, attended the opening ceremony at the Chinese Pavilion. [Photo/ Chinanews.com]

China’s Ministry of Culture launched a Happy Chinese New Year event at the 15th Muscat Art Festival on Jan, 27, 2015. Yu Fulong, China’s ambassador to Oman, attended the opening ceremony at the Chinese Pavilion.

The pavilion is located in Amirat Park, covering over 200 square meters. Two lanterns hanging on the front gate strongly conveyed the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year. At the opening ceremony, students from Beijing Sport University performed the traditional dragon-lion dance, which earned cheers and applause from the audience.

The 17-day event runs through Feb 12, when various cultural events will be held to promote understanding and communication between the two countries. As part of a series of cultural interactions themed “Cultural Tour of the Sino-Oman Silk Road”, Happy Chinese New Year events serve as a window for the people of Oman to learn about the folk culture and customs of Chinese festivals.

During the festival, the 43-member team from China will take part in 15 shows, showcases Chinese martial arts, Chinese cuisine and handicrafts and blessings from China. In the China pavilion, visitors will be able to have a bite of freshly made traditional Chinese Islamic food and feast their eyes on the demonstrations of traditional Chinese embroidery, textile dying, calligraphy and painting.

Apart from that, visitors also can get a glimpse of exquisite Chinese handicrafts like paper-cutting, tea art, Chinese knots and kite-making. Some special projects will also be organized to highlight Chinese culture.

Since its debut in 1998, the Muscat Art Festival has provided all kinds of performances and exhibitions on folk culture, intangible cultural heritage and handicrafts, attracting millions of visitors each year. Apart from China, Egypt, Turkey, France, 10 other countries are invited to participate in the festival. It has become one of the most important platforms for enhancing bilateral cultural communication and cooperation.

Since the establishment of Sino-Oman diplomatic relations in 1978, China and Oman have developed a stable and active partnership. Muscat was once an important port for maritime trade between Oman and China. The first trip from Oman to China was accomplished in about 8 AD. In the mid-1980s, a reproduction of that ancient vessel set off from the Muscat naval base for Guangzhou (capital of Guangdong Province) to commemorate the adventures of Sinbad depicted in the Arabian Nights.