KIEV, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Celebrations for the upcoming Spring Festival started in Ukraine with a ceremonial reception in Kiev on Tuesday, bringing Chinese and Ukrainian officials and businessmen together.
The event organized by the Chinese Commercial Association (CCA) featured an ensemble of captivating performances in a ballroom of a hotel, which was decorated with bright red lanterns to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The festivity kicked off with a tantalizing show of Chinese and Ukrainian martial arts, with Ukrainian masters performing Kung Fu and Fighting Gopak.
The students of Kiev Gymnasium of Oriental Languages staged a dragon dance and a graceful dance with fans and umbrellas.
Among the other highlights of the dinner-show, were classical Chinese songs, the performance of Chinese traditional music instrument Guzheng and the legendary Chinese Opera masks performance.
An extensive dinner banquet was organized to introduce the huge variety of traditional Chinese cuisine to Ukrainians.
Speaking to Xinhua correspondent during the ceremonial reception, Zhou Weijian, the president of the CCA, said that the event is aimed at sharing Chinese culture and traditions with other countries under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
"Given the intensification of Chinese enterprises' activities abroad, their influence in foreign countries is increasing. Therefore, I think it is important to promote Chinese culture overseas. The Chinese culture can boost the 'soft power' of Chinese companies abroad," said Zhou.
About 250 guests attended this ceremonial reception, including Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Du Wei, chief executive officers of Chinese and Ukrainian companies, and Ukrainian government officials.
Olga Trofimtseva, Ukraine's Deputy Agriculture Minister, said that for her the Spring Festival means the opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year, one of her favorite holidays, for the second time.
Trofimtseva described the event organized by the CCA as a good opportunity to promote understanding between the people of China and Ukraine, as well as to boost business ties between the two countries.
"It is a great chance to discuss partnership in an informal atmosphere, and to make an update on our joint projects and cooperation. I just had several brief talks with our partners and we have outlined the next steps for implementing joint projects," Trofimtseva told Xinhua.
Other guests of the event also expressed their delight with the ceremonial reception and their admiration for the charm of Chinese culture.
Marina Skrypnik, an adviser to Ukraine's deputy infrastructure minister, said that she, like many Ukrainians, knows about the Lunar New Year, but have not had an opportunity before to celebrate it.
"I am participating for the first time in such an event. I really like the program and the approach. Everything is very interesting and well-organized. This event will undoubtedly have a positive impact on relations between Ukraine and China," Skrypnik told Xinhua.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Tkachuk, a senior employee at the Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Ministry, said he had learned a lot about the Spring Festival traditions and became inspired to visit China during the Lunar New Year holiday.
"I really enjoyed the event! It is really difficult to say which performance I liked most. Everything was wonderful and great. I would like to visit China for the Chinese New Year celebrations," said Tkachuk.
The Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 16 this year.
Before that time, the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and other cities in the country will host cultural events to celebrate the holiday.
Major celebrations will be held in Ukraine's western city of Lviv from Feb. 14 to Feb. 21, featuring Chinese traditional singing, dancing, arts and crafts, kung-fu workshops and Chinese food fair in the center of the city.
