A Chinese New Year concert in Haifa on Jan. 7, kicked off the annual celebration for Chinese nationals in Israel. The concert was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Israel, the Ministry Culture of China and the Haifa government.

The symphony orchestra of Haifa, one of the top orchestras in Israel, performed with Chinese soprano superstar Zhao Yunhong. The celebrations marked the first time an Israeli orchestra performed for a Chinese New Year party.

Like Us on Facebook

Among the pieces they performed included Chinese classics Overture of Spring Festival, Ode to The Red Flag, Qiaos Courtyard, Little Running River and some Western classics.

The Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar New Year or The Spring Festival) is celebrated around the world. It is an important Asian festival held during the turn of the lunisolar in the Chinese calendar. The celebrations usually run from the eve of the lantern festival on the 15th day of January while the main New Year falls between the 20th of January and the 20th of February.

Within China and in neighboring countries, families normally gather together for an annual reunion dinner. It is also tradition for families to thoroughly clean their homes and decorate windows and doors with red buntings and couplets to symbolize good luck and happiness.

In Israel, the 2016 Happy Chinese New Year celebrations will last from January 7th up until mid-March. There are more than 30 scheduled performances in six cities in Israel, including concerts, modern dance, martial arts and acrobatic performances from Chinese acrobats who were professionally trained in China. 

TagsIsrael, Celebrations