Greeks and Chinese reiterated close friendship between the two peoples celebrating together the 2011 Spring Festival with a dance and music show staged on Friday in Athens by Chinese and Greek elementary and high school students.
Ahead of the Chinese lunar New Year of the Rabbit, which falls on Feb. 3, the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Athens Greek-American College organized a colorful event at the
premises of the College, which won high praises by the hundreds of guests. The Arts Troupe of the Students of the High School affiliated to Renmin University of China who visited Greece, performed Chinese traditional dances and martial arts presentations, amidst cheers and loud applauses from the crowd.
Greek students joined the celebration performing Greek folk dances and wishing their Chinese friends "Kali Hronia," which means "Happy New Year" in Greek.
In the presence of Chinese ambassador in Greece Luo Linquan, representatives of both schools stressed the historic close ties between the two nations who have contributed so much to the world' s civilization and exchanged best wishes for the future.
The aim of the event was to improve understanding of Greek and Chinese cultures and boost friendship between youths.
Welcoming Chinese guests with "Ni hao", Greek students who learn the language at the Athens College expressed their enthusiasm for the better knowledge of China and Chinese peoples after the show.
"I knew we are close in philosophy. Today I realized we enjoy life the same as well. We have similar colorful traditional costumes and magnificent dances," elementary school student Stavros told Xinhua, referring to folk dances of the Yi and Miao minorities and similar dances from the Greek islands.
Greek High School students Helen and Maria were amazed at the strength and harmony of their fellow Chinese students who performed martial arts and enjoyed Pelagia's song from the movie " Captain Corelli's Mandolin" which was especially prepared for the show in Greece.
"It was an excellent show. Bravo. Greek and Chinese could learn a lot from each other," they told Xinhua, sending their best wishes to Chinese peoples for the coming of Spring and New Year.
source: Xinhua
