In the morning of February 24, 2024, Nanping Town Loong & Lion Dance Performance to Celebrate the Lantern Festival of 2024, a highlight event for the 3rd Zhuhai-Macao Loong & Lion Dance Festival, was held in the square outside Nanping Huafa Mall Zone A. Huafa MSCE organized nearly 20 Chinese and foreign friends from Germany, the USA, the UK and Macao China to watch the wonderful show. In a bustling and lively scene, the elites of loong and lion culture in Zhuhai and Macao jointly presented a visual feast to the Chinese and foreign visitors on site, enabling them to fully feel the charm of traditional culture and the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year.

The event kicked off with a loong dance performance, in which a long golden loong was made to wriggle and leap vibrantly, symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity. Then, six local troupes of Nanping, including Beishan Choy Li Fut Victory Loong & Lion Dance Troupe, Nanping Qingwu Club Loong & Lion Dance Troupe, Guangsheng Lion Dance Troupe, Guangchang Lion Dance Troupe, Shi’ercun Hongxu Lion Dance Troupe and Dongqiao Lion Dance Troupe, put on wonderful performances one by one. In addition, two teams from Macao, i.e. Hong Wai Sports and Recreation Association and Hong Kuang Sports and Recreation Association, were specially invited to give lion dance and loong dance performances respectively. With superb skills and full enthusiasm, all the troupes fully presented the profound background and unique charm of Chinese loong and lion dance culture, drawing bursts of applause from the audience.

A member of Beishan Choy Li Fut Victory Loong & Lion Dance Troupe said, “We came to the Festival every year, not only to celebrate the New Year with the viewers, but also to learn from troupes of Macao and make progress together”. According to the head of Macao Hong Kuang Sports and Recreation Association, this was a very meaningful event. It not only promoted traditional Chinese culture, but also provided a chance for the performers from Zhuhai and Macao to exchange ideas and develop friendships. 

At the scene, the audience had close contact with the dancing loong and lions and experienced Chinese folk culture at close range. Jennifer and her family from Germany have become a loyal fan of the event. “We joined the same event here last year. Today, we came with my parents. I really want to show them the traditional Chinese New Year. They were very interested and loved the show very much! It’s amazing to see these dragons and lions come alive!” Debbie from the United States said, "The show was fantastic! My kids stayed until the last show and didn't want to leave. We really liked it!"

It is reported that Nanping Town has a century-old tradition of loong and lion dance. This event showed the unique local culture and strong atmosphere of Chinese New Year to foreign residents, greatly enhanced their sense of integration and happiness, and received high praise from them. In the future, Huafa MSCE will promote multicultural exchanges through more and better cultural activities to enhance foreign friends' understanding of traditional Chinese culture and local customs, and present compelling China stories to foreign friends in Zhuhai.

 The audience had close contact with the dancing loong and lions and experienced Chinese folk culture at close range. [Photo/WeChat account:HUAFA MSCE]

In a bustling and lively scene, the elites of loong and lion culture in Zhuhai and Macao jointly presented a visual feast to the Chinese and foreign visitors. [Photo/WeChat account:HUAFA MSCE]