Belarusian children try facial mask painting of Peking Opera at the 2018 Happy Chinese New Year temple fair in Minsk on Feb 1, 2018. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

On Feb 1, a press conference and a temple fair were held in Minsk, Belarus, kicking off 2018 Happy Chinese New Year celebrations.  

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Cui Ming, former Belarusian Cultural Minister Boris Svetlov and other Belarusian officials attended the event, along with about 800 locals.

At the fair, visitors sampled many traditional Chinese snacks and were enthralled by the exciting dragon and lion dances. They also tried some Chinese cultural activities, including Chinese ink painting and paper cutting.

The art troupe from Central China's Hunan province staged a breathtaking show, featuring dances and acrobatics.

A photo exhibition on the Belt and Road Initiative was held at the temple fair to help people better learn about the Silk Road spirit.

The Happy Chinese New Year temple fair has been held in Belarus for four years, with new types of activities added each year, having attracted nearly 3,000 Belarusian teenagers to participate. The event has become a major platform for Belarusian people, especially the young, to experience traditional Chinese culture.

After the three-day celebration for the upcoming Chinese New Lunar Year from Feb 1 to 3 held in Minsk, a New Year Gala will be held at the National Concert Hall of Belarus, and a flash mob and a film shooting activity will be organized at the China Cultural Center in Minsk.