Almaid
Around twenty activities make up the cultural program with which the Municipal Council of Madrid, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Spain, celebrates the Chinese New Year, which this year had the wooden snake as its protagonist. The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, along with Ambassador Yao Jing, participated today in the presentation of the program, organized at the China Cultural Center in Madrid, where he emphasized that «this is one of the most anticipated events not only by the Chinese community in Madrid, but by the city as a whole.»
Almeida encouraged all Madrilenians «to participate in this holiday program» that can be enjoyed in the Users District on January 31 and February 1 and 2, although some activities will continue until February 16. The program is organized by the fields of culture, tourism, and sports, in collaboration with educational centers in the People’s Republic.
On Wednesday, January 29, according to the monthly calendar, the Chinese New Year begins, corresponding to the wooden snake, a sign associated with wisdom, intuition, and renewal, which is featured on the poster announcing the program. On this occasion, Juan Carlos Paz, a digital illustrator known as Bakea, showcases the snake in one of the city’s most emblematic spaces, Gran Vía Madrid.
The holiday festivities will kick off on Friday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m. with the opening ceremony at the esplanade of the Municipal Council of the USRA District, where representatives from the Madrid Local Council and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Spain, together with members of the main Chinese community associations in Madrid, will perform the traditional ritual of painting the eyes on the lions to attract luck in the New Year.
From that moment on, all Madrilenians and visitors coming to Users can enjoy activities such as Spring Square, where there will be stalls with Chinese products, food trucks offering typical dishes, Chinese calligraphy workshops, origami, and shadow puppetry.
Also, spaces like the exhibition hall of the Municipal Council (Robin), the Maris Stella Center for Environment and Cultural Education (A Glimpse of Weihai), and the exhibition hall of the USRA Cultural Center (Spring Festival) will host photo and ink painting exhibitions, providing insights into the country’s roots and traditional customs.
Additionally, there will be storytelling at the José Hierro Library (Arrival of the Snake) and workshops on Chinese plants, paper snake crafting, meditation, Beijing opera cutting and painting, and Java puppet making, as well as a business meeting to explore China’s cultural richness with a special focus on economic opportunities and collaboration from the City of Weihai.
Fireworks at Pradolongo and Pasaccalle Park
Once again, Pradongo Park will host fireworks on Saturday, February 1 at 8:00 p.m.
On Sunday, February 2, starting at 12:00, the Chinese New Year parade will take place. Nearly 1,300 participants will parade through the main streets of the Uspera district, starting from Marcelo Usera Street to Manuel Muñoz Street and ending at Rafaela Ybarra Avenue, at the intersection with Elisa Ochoa Street, offering children and the public an original visual spectacle that will transport them to China.
More information and full schedule: www.madridchino.com
