VIRTUAL CONCERTS

As is typical for this festive occasion, concerts are essential parts of the celebrations. This year many concerts are going online for the Spring Festival, such as top orchestras in the United States, including the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra.

Such widespread interest makes this year's Spring Festival "a truly globalized celebration," said Wei Zhou, founder and president of Weiber Consulting based in New York City.

"The good thing about it is that you break the barrier of a localized celebration because everything is online ... it truly has become a globalized celebration this year," said Zhou.

On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in the United States also hosted an uplifting virtual Lunar New Year reception and concert.

"In the Chinese culture, the Ox symbolizes stamina, energy and dedication," said Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai at the 2021 Chinese New Year Online Reception and Symphony Concert streamed online, adding that "we will show the spirit of the Ox and work together for a better shared future, for the Chinese and American people and people of the whole world."

Likewise, opera has shifted online. In Malta, the opera Turandot was presented both online and on Maltese TV.

Showcasing opera on this special occasion illustrated the deep bond between China and Malta, said Yang Xiaolong, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta.

The center, in cooperation with the Confucius Institute of the University of Malta, also hosted an online "Happy Chinese New Year" event on Tuesday, which featured martial arts, singing and dancing, trivia and other interactive activities.