The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – The Chinese community in Costa Rica celebrated the Chinese New Year at the pace of a marimba, the national instrument of the Central American country, which sounded to the beat of a Chinese track.
Preserving its roots, but at the same time with a mix of both cultures, the Chinese began their festival with a combination of artistic performances, martial arts, traditional dragon dances and parades of traditional costumes.
“The Chinese community is more than 150 years in Costa Rica and what we do with this festival is to try to preserve our roots. This is a mixture of both cultures,” said President of the Chamber of Chinese-Costa Rican Industry, Godwin Tang.
According to the predictions of the Chinese, this is the New Year of the wooden horse, so the year will be filled with many successes, energy, and prosperity.
“The horse is a symbol of strength, determination and loyalty. Many Chinese expect this year they will get married because it brings prosperity,” said the President of the China Association in Cologne Costa Rica, Isabel Yung.
The streets of San Jose filled with the classic red hanging lamps and dances, local dishes, calligraphy and hundreds of Costa Ricans enjoyed a “more Asian” day.
The ceremony was held in Chinatown, an urban area created in December 2012 with markets, shops and Chinese-owned restaurants.
Costa Rica is the only Central American country that has diplomatic relations with China, which were established in June 2007.
Since then the two countries have carried out many cooperation projects in areas ranging from the economy and infrastructure to sports and culture. (ACAN-EFE)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica
