Greek second largest city celebrates Chinese New Year with cultural show

Chinese artists perform during a show titled "Happy Chinese New Year 2019" in Thessaloniki, Greece, Jan. 28, 2019. A large group of Chinese artists performed a special and festive show for a "Happy Chinese New Year 2019" on Monday at Greek port city of Thessaloniki, also the second largest city in the country. The event was organized by Thessaloniki Tourism Organization in cooperation with the Chinese embassy in Greece and the Beijing Municipality and the support of the Chinese Cultural Center in Athens, as well as the Chinese community and businesses. It was held to enhance the cultural exchange between China and Greece and to welcome the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on Feb. 5 and ends on Feb. 19 this year. This year 2019 is the year of the pig, according to the Chinese zodiac. The show in Thessaloniki took place at the Royal Theater and the program included dance, acrobatics, traditional Chinese music, theater, opera and Kung Fu demonstration by martial arts fighters. (Xinhua/Dimitris Tosidis)