Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) On February 17th, the first day of the Lunar New Year, Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong was already bustling with crowds before nightfall, the streets filled with a strong festive atmosphere. At 8 PM that evening, the "Cathay Lunar New Year International Parade Night" officially kicked off with the first float slowly departing from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Plaza.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee attended the event and extended New Year's greetings to citizens and tourists in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. He stated that Hong Kong received nearly 50 million visitors in the past year, and the love of tourists from all over the world for Hong Kong is the driving force for the city's continued progress. In the new year, Hong Kong will build on past achievements, fully promote its unique urban charm to the world, delve deeper into its local characteristics, and strive to become the preferred travel destination for global tourists.
This year's parade featured 12 themed floats, each with its own unique characteristics and auspicious meanings, becoming a striking sight on the streets. The Hong Kong Jockey Club float, themed "United in Spirit, Moving Forward Together, Galloping Through a Brilliant Year of the Horse," featured three magnificent horses leading the way, symbolizing the vibrant and prosperous Year of the Horse. Accompanying the float were lion and dragon dance performances, creating a visually striking and distinctive display. Hong Kong Disneyland presented its 20th-anniversary themed float, "A Magical Party for the Year of the Horse," featuring classic IPs such as Mickey, Minnie, Duffy, and Lina Belle, who waved, interacted with, and took photos with visitors, filling the streets with a fairytale atmosphere and adding a touch of childlike joy to the Lunar New Year.
The McDonald's classic train float and the trendy toy float featuring Labubu were also popular with visitors. "It's my first time seeing the McDonald's train and Labubu floats, it's a wonderful surprise," said Wang Lin, a Hong Kong resident who brought her child to watch the parade. She added that watching the parade on Lunar New Year's Day is a family tradition, "The more people, the more lively it is; seeing smiling faces is what truly brings good fortune to the new year."
Besides the exquisite floats, performances from around the world took turns on stage, pushing the atmosphere to a climax. The Xi'an Acrobatic Troupe's pole-jumping performance was breathtaking, while the Hong Kong dragon and lion dance showcased the power of Chinese martial arts; a French dreamlike horse arrived bathed in light, Egyptian whirling dancers swayed their skirts, and the Philippine Smiling Mask Festival performance was full of exotic charm. Diverse art forms converged on the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, turning it into a joyful "global village." Performers interacted enthusiastically with the audience, distributing New Year's greetings, and cheers of "Happy New Year!" and "Good luck in the Year of the Horse!" echoed throughout the crowd.
"This is my first time celebrating Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, and the scene is amazing!" said Jessica Miller, a tourist from London, England, who documented the entire event with her camera. She admitted that Hong Kong's vibrancy and inclusiveness were touching, "Different cultures blend naturally here, and everyone is enjoying pure joy." She also mentioned that she would later visit the racecourse to experience horse racing and bring the authentic Hong Kong New Year atmosphere home.
Filipino tourist Maria remarked that seeing performances showcasing her hometown's unique characteristics and hearing familiar melodies in Hong Kong, thousands of miles away, made her feel incredibly welcome despite being far from home. Zhang Chen, a tourist from Beijing, brought his foreign friends to enjoy the parade. He said, "Now it's the world's way of celebrating the Chinese New Year, and Hong Kong is like a window, allowing the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year to reach the world."
On the parade streets, an elderly Hong Kong woman, holding the hand of her mixed-race granddaughter, pointed to the horses on the floats and softly explained the meaning of the Chinese Year of the Horse. The little girl innocently said, "May you achieve success immediately," a child's voice that vividly reflects the generational transmission of Chinese culture. (End)
