Image via El Confidencial
From January 13 to February 17, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated in Madrid, so it will not be necessary to travel to the Far East to enjoy such a unique festival. The city council of the capital has organized a large number of cultural activities and workshops to celebrate the Year of the Red Rooster of Fire in collaboration with the Confucius Institute, the Chinese embassy, the Chengdu city hall, different associations and residents of the Usera neighborhood, where a large part of the Chinese community lives in Madrid.
If you plan to spend a few days in Madrid, Below we will tell you what the Chinese New Year consists of and what are the activities that have been programmed these days. There is everything! From photographic exhibitions and parades, to musical performances and gastronomic days.
What does the year of the Red Rooster of Fire mean?
The Chinese New Year holiday has thousands of years of history. It is also known as the Spring Festival because it says goodbye to winter and ushers in a new season. As the new year enters, the Chinese prepare by cleaning their houses, paying their debts, buying new clothes and even painting their doors. On this occasion the year of the Red Rooster of Fire is celebrated. This animal is the tenth of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and has a special meaning: it is the symbol of luck, goodness and brilliance.
Each year of the zodiac is associated with one of the five elements of Chinese elemental theory: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. 2017 is the Year of the Fire Rooster, which is repeated once every 60 years and is considered honorable and sober. The year offers every opportunity to develop and earn more by being hard-working, reliable and responsible at work.
Getting to know Chengdu better
Image via Madrid Free
The city council of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, will participate in the festivities for the first time. This town is famous for its population of panda bears, an endangered species. For this reason, an exhibition on the history of this animal has been mounted at the Madrid Zoo and the Chulina panda baby has been presented.
In addition, within the week of Chengdu the best dishes of Sichuanese cuisine will be presented, which is characterized by using many spices to season the dishes. Likewise, the Tea House will be installed in the Plaza Mayor from this Friday until January 19, where everyone who wants to can come and try this typical Chinese drink. There you can enjoy different shows or admire the photographic exhibition on Chengdu tourism.
Festival of lights at the Palacio de Cibeles
On the occasion of the Chinese New Year, the city hall of the capital will illuminate the Palacio de Cibeles and decorate some streets while the community of Madrid will hang a large banner from the headquarters of this institution in Puerta del Sol to welcome the Year of the Red Rooster of Fire and as a tribute to the great Chinese community of Madrid.
Image via Engel & Völkers
Handicraft Fair of the Plaza de España
The traditional Chinese Crafts Fair in Plaza de España will also return. It will be the weekend of February 11 and 12, with more than twenty exhibitors. In addition, there will be a large stage where members of the Chinese community living in Spain will perform songs, dances and kung fu exhibitions for those present.
Children's workshops on Chinese culture
Among the plans organized for children, a meditation workshop stands out on Sunday 29 at 11.30 am. in the Buddhist Temple of Usera (Luis de la Torre, 12). The goal is for them to learn concentration techniques in a fun way and to be able to use them when they need to. The same day, at 12.15:XNUMX p.m. there will be a martial arts session for those over five years old at the Usera Cultural Center.
Image via 20minutes
Chinese Taste
Organized by the Chinese embassy together with the Government of Chengdu and the Madrid institutions, from January 13 to February 12, this great gastronomic event will be organized that aims to show the Chinese culinary wealth. In this edition, a total of 18 proposals (those of Casa Lafu, Royal Mandarin or Asia Gallery, among others) will offer menus for all budgets. In addition, Chinese chef Fu Haiyong will prepare some typical Sichuan specialties in the restaurant of the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques.
Food Trucks with traditional food
On January 28 and 29, several food trucks will be installed in the Plaza de la Junta of the Usera district to offer a tasting of the delicious and traditional flavors of this culture in different specialized food trucks.
Chinese New Year Parade
On Saturday, January 28 from 11am. at 13 p.m. The traditional Chinese New Year parade will take place through the streets of the Usera district, where you will be able to see pyrotechnic shows, dances and popular music, as well as a parade starring dragons and lions.