For three consecutive days between 28 and 30 January, the Cairo Opera House's main hall hosted a number of Chinese artists. A performance given by the Hangzhou Institute of Opera and Dance Drama was one of several events organised by the Chinese Culture Centre in Cairo, which was founded in 2002 and represents the first large-scale culture centre set up overseas by the Chinese Government in the 21st century.

The performance was organised within the context of celebrations marking the Chinese New Year (also called the 'Lunar New Year') and coinciding with the beginning of the Year of the Snake (10 February 2012 to 31 January 2014). The Lunar New Year also marks the beginning of the Spring Festival, the most important festival in Chinese culture, which spans over two weeks. In China – and around the world – the Chinese people celebrate the New Year and Spring Festival with numerous artistic activities.

Photo: Sherif Sonbol
text: Ati Metwaly