Shandong Spring Festival gala celebrates unity in diversity

Shanxian county – which is located in Heze city in East China's Shandong province – recently hosted its 2024 Spring Festival Gala, featuring a delightful international touch.

Expats take a group photo with several hosts. [Photo by Wang Xiaolan for chinadaily.com.cn]

Expats took to the stage at the No 1 Middle School's auditorium, joining the local community in celebrating the Chinese New Year.

In an opening video, they expressed their love for China and Shanxian county. David from Ghana, living and working in Shanxian for seven years, praised its beauty. Tata from Jamaica expressed fondness for Chinese traditions, while Crystal and Shanakay from Jamaica shared their love of Shanxian's cuisine. They extended New Year greetings, wishing happiness in the Year of the Dragon.

During the gala the expats, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, delivered a heartfelt performance of the song Me and You, bringing cheers from the audience.

With a song in their hearts: Expats perform on the stage. [Photo by Wang Xiaolan for chinadaily.com.cn]

The event emphasized cultural interaction and integration, welcoming foreign friends living and working in Shanxian. An expat from South Korea praised the program, expressing hope for the region's continued development.

The 2024 Shanxian Spring Festival Gala united diverse cultures, fostering a spirit of celebration and leaving lasting memories for both locals and international participants. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)