NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31 – The Chinese Embassy in Kenya on Wednesday marked a historic celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year 2024 with a special event at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi.
The Lunar New Year, often referred to as the Spring Festival in China, holds significant cultural importance and is among the most celebrated traditional festivals in Chinese culture.
In a first for Kenya, the Lunar New Year is being commemorated as a UN floating holiday after the UN General Assembly designated it as such on December 22, 2023.
During the celebrations held at the UN, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Dr. Zhou Pingjian highlighted the significance of the Lunar New Year in promoting diversity and inclusiveness among nations worldwide.
“The festival has become a global cultural event bringing joy to people around the world. We are delighted to celebrate the Lunar New Year with the UN and the world. We hope all civilizations will coexist harmoniously and prosper together,” Ambassador Zhou said.
He emphasized the importance of nations maintaining goodwill and mutual understanding while collaborating on the Global Civilization Initiative to create a society with a shared destiny for all.
“The festival symbolizes joy, harmony, peace, unity, and prosperity in Chinese culture. It offers a valuable opportunity to understand China and its people,” he added.
Zainab Bangura, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), said that such celebrations foster international unity among nations.
“Many populations worldwide celebrate the Lunar New Year. As the United Nations, we wish all people peace, happiness, and prosperity,” she said.
She also noted that, in line with UN-recognized holidays, the celebrations in Nairobi precede the actual day designated by the UN General Assembly on February 10.
In traditional Chinese culture, the Spring Festival ushers in the Chinese Year of the Dragon, symbolizing wisdom and strength. The festival is a time for families to come together for reunions on the eve of the Lunar New Year, marked by preparations of traditional food and house decorations.
