Many natives joined their Chinese friends on Saturday in celebrating the Spring Festival and the upcoming Chinese lunar New Year of the Rabbit at the downtown Herastrau Park of the snow-covered Romanian capital.

With Romanian and Chinese traditional music and dances on the stage, colorful lights and clothes, and smiles on everybody's face, a synergetic harmony was forged during the open air event.

The 100-meter-long main alley of the park was exquisitely decorated in Chinese traditional style. Red color prevailed among big lanterns, outfits of the dancers and traditional Chinese clothes, inspiring warmth and dynamism.

The Chinese music sounded gracious, relaxing and yet animating while the Dance of the Dragon, which has been performed over a thousand years and still enjoyable and popular, transferred energetic feelings and lofty emotions.

Girls dressed in rabbits, acting as hostesses, walked around distributing red balloons printed with "Happy New Year" in Chinese and Romanian.

As many Rumanians as Chinese, whole families with children and dogs, and passers-by, were enjoying the event in an impressive atmosphere of shared joyful mood.

When Chinese music was played, the Rumanians moved their feet according to the graceful rhythm, and when Romanian music was played, the Chinese and Rumanians danced Hora in a large circle, hand in hand.

A well-dressed senior couple who have Chinese friends residing in Romania, said they like the Chinese "because they are hard-working, hospitable, friendly and modest" and they would like to visit China one day to see the "Chinese miracle" with their own eyes.

A 26-year-old cameraman shooting the event said he likes Chinese culture. He studies martial arts, and nourishes a "deep respect for China" while his girlfriend loves Chinese art and decorations because they are "the finest." Besides, she likes Chinese food because it is "healthy."

Photos were taken every second. Flashes of cameras got reflected on snow and faces, like small scale lightning in the air. When night fell, the place became a fairy tale scenery, like a magic forest, as the audience increasing.

Chinese ambassador to Romania Liu Zengwen and Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu were among the special guests.

In a conversation before his speech to the public, the ambassador stated that "the China-Romania friendship has been over 60 years. Despite many changes occurred on the international arena and both in Chinese and Romanian domestic societies, the relations have not been affected but new partnerships were built up in various fields."

The Chinese make up a strong community of over 7,000 citizens, according to official records, including students, business people, doctors and mixed marriages.

According to Liu, the best description of the Chinese-Romanian relations is the proverb: "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

Before delivering the speech, the mayor of Bucharest performed his part in a traditional Chinese custom, taking a small painter's brush and black paint from a saucer held by a beautiful young Chinese lady dressed up in a traditional red dress, painting the eyes of the Dragon in order to initiate the ceremony.

In his speech, Oprescu thanked the audience and the members of the Chinese embassy and expressed his satisfaction about the strengthening of the relationships between Bucharest and Beijing, which as he said is an example of infrastructure for Bucharest.

Oprescu also announced that a Romanian delegation would go to Beijing soon after the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.

The Chinese ambassador also welcomed the audience and reminded that the Chinese lunar New Year is a traditional moment of reunion for families. He thanked the mayor for his support in organizing the event and all the Rumanians who made efforts to develop the China-Romania relations, and he wished everybody a "Happy Chinese New Year."

Fireworks ended up this magic evening spent in music and dance but people did not hurry to leave, as the main alley in Herastrau Park was still full.

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