On Feb. 14 in Cairo, Egyptians and overseas Chinese came together to celebrate the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese Lunar New Year, with great joy and goodwill.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities supported the Year of the Dragon event near the Giza pyramids on Sunday as a way to welcome Chinese tourists and encourage them to explore more of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
The event included Chinese and Egyptian folklore dances, as well as a parachuting show with new year messages, all aimed at welcoming the Chinese visitors and sending them good wishes during the Spring Festival.
Ghada Shalaby, Egypt’s vice minister of tourism and antiquities, emphasized in a statement the importance of the Chinese market to her country, stating that Egypt is an alluring destination for Chinese visitors interested in cultural tourism.
Additionally, some companies in Cairo held celebrations with Chinese Lunar New Year-themed elements.
At Bayt Al-Hekma Cultural Group, a publishing house specializing in Arabic translations of Chinese literary works, employees were busy preparing for the celebrations with Chinese lanterns and decorations of the Chinese dragon, a symbol of good luck, strength, and power in China.
Chinese calligraphy and paper decorations with phrases meaning blessings and good fortune were also displayed at the company’s office in Cairo.
Yara Ibrahim, an employee of the group, noted that the Spring Festival was celebrated through various recreational, cultural, and educational activities, including inviting Egyptians to write their names in Chinese calligraphy while enjoying Chinese movies and food.
Furthermore, Interpoint Tours Travel, a travel agency in Egypt, organized several celebrations for Chinese and Egyptian tourists, which were well received.
Ashraf ElEwa, CEO of the agency, explained that visitors were amazed by the Spring Festival-themed events held at hotels and other tourist destinations.
Finally, on Feb. 10, Huawei Egypt organized a banquet for Chinese and Egyptian workers to improve communication and mutual understanding, further bringing the two countries closer together through the celebrations marking the most important festival in China.
