A "dancing golden dragon" over 200 meters long meandered through Macau's zigzagging narrow alleys earlier this week. Dazzling floats and passionate performances entertained audiences lining up along a 2-km-long main road. Glittering fireworks lit up the night sky above the sea.
Two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, festivity has returned to Macau during this Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday, which began on Tuesday, with caution against the coronavirus.Thanks to the sound epidemic situation in Macau, which has reported no locally transmitted COVID-19 cases for nearly four consecutive months, the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government has rolled out a series of traditional celebrations to usher in the Year of the Tiger.
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, performers holding a 238-meter-long "dancing golden dragon" and 18 "dancing lions" toured the streets of Macau, drawing large crowds of local residents and tourists at the landmark Ruins of St. Paul, where the road show started, and along the route connecting the major scenic spots on the peninsula.
Last night, a parade featuring 14 floats and performances by various teams weaved into a multimedia dance drama under the theme of "Turning the Fortune by the Mighty Tiger," a story of the Tiger General's victory over a winged epidemic beast.
Crowds along the route took pictures with their mobile phones, waved to performers, and shouted "Happy New Year!" Children not tall enough had to sit on the shoulders of their parents or stand on scooters or trolleys to get a glimpse of the show.
In celebration of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, a 15-minute fireworks show yesterday specifically included fireworks in the shape of the five Olympic rings, wishing the Chinese athletes great success in the Games, which opened in Beijing last night.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong said at the launch ceremony that the parade, which resumes this year under strict epidemic control, is particularly meaningful to branding Macau as a safe and quality tourist destination.
A tourist surnamed Zhou from Chongqing told Xinhua that the traditional Lunar New Year celebrations in Macau offered unforgettable travel experiences for her family. "Due to the pandemic, we hadn't traveled for two years," she said.
According to the Public Security Police (PSP), Macau recorded around 23,700 visitor arrivals and departures on Wednesday, the second day of the Chinese New Year, and 33,300 visitor arrivals and departure yesterday, the third day of the New Year. On February 13 and 14 of 2021, the second and third day of the Year of the Ox, the figures were 20,700 and 27,300 respectively.
After being suspended for two years, the MSAR government also resumed designating two outdoor areas for the public to set off fireworks and firecrackers, attracting residents despite the cold weather and drizzle.
A fireworks stall owner surnamed Lam said she had welcomed a number of customers in the evenings, but the business was still not as good as before the COVID-19 pandemic. "There used to be a lot of tourists, even from other countries," she said.
The MSAR government also hosted other events for Macau residents to share their joy about the Beijing Winter Olympics, including a public cycling event yesterday.
Meanwhile, the China Media Group (CMG) and the MSAR jointly launched a campaign today to cheer for the Beijing Winter Olympics. During the campaign, a total of 300 taxis in Macau, as well as outdoor screens, local media, and platforms displayed the promotional video of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics produced by CMG, the music video of Olympic themed song "Together for a Shared Future" and songs composed by Macau musicians in dedication to the Winter Olympics.
- Xinhua (minor edits by The Macau Post Daily)
Caption: Artists perform during a parade to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year in Macau yesterday. - Caption
