Galloping into the UAE, upcoming Chinese Year of the Horse brings festive joy to locals

During the event held in the hall of its main building at the American University of Sharjah on Thursday, international students tried on traditional Chinese and Sharjah attire and engaged in hands-on arts and crafts.

The university's chancellor Tod Laursen emphasized the importance of such exchanges. These experiences enrich education by allowing students to learn from one another and enjoy the festivities together, he said.

The festive spirit also flowed through Dubai's waterways over the weekend with the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge 2026. More than 1,000 professional athletes and enthusiasts paddled in vibrantly decorated dragon boats, sharing the excitement of the Chinese New Year with the city's cosmopolitan residents.

Gianluca Salvicchi, an Italian participant on a multinational team representing Chinese financial institutions in the UAE, said the experience reminded him of similar events in Italy.

"Dragon boating tests strength, focus and teamwork," he said. "Our team, made up of members from China, Italy and Pakistan, trained just a few times a week. It was challenging, but exhilarating."