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On February 7, 2015 Croatian capital Zagreb's main Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall was beautifully decorated with congratulatory red banner carrying the inscription " Happy Chinese New Year", Chinese knots, Chinese lanterns adding to the general festivity hosted outstanding new year's performance. The artistic performance "Happy Chinese New Year" featuring acrobatics, singing and dancing, was jointly organized by the Chinese embassy in Croatia, China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the City of Zagreb. Croatian president Ivo Josipović, Speaker of the Croatian parliament Josip Leko, former Croatian president Stjepan Mesić, the Executive Mayor of Zagreb Sandra Švaljek and nearly 1800 guests from Croatian political parties, the government departments, army, and business, academic, culture and other walks of life, diplomatic envoys, overseas Chinese and Chinese funded institutions, exchange students, citizens of Zagreb and neighboring cities, all enjoyed the brilliant performance of Dalian Acrobatic Troupe of China.
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Ambassador Deng Ying together with Croatian president Ivo Josipovic and other distinguished guests went on stage to open the performance by participating in the traditional ceremony of "eye-dotting" to the lions. The sounds of traditional Chinese music followed to accompany the brilliant acrobatic performances, the acts of Water Meteors, Hand Balance on Chairs, XIZANG Dance, Foot Juggling with Umbrellas, Foot Juggling on Teeterboard, Beijing Opera, Face Changing, Pas De Deux, just to name but a few of the hardest and most challenging traditional and contemporary acrobatic skills touching the audience and enabling them to feel the profound and unique charm of the Chinese culture. The festive atmosphere was emphasized by renown Croatian cello player Ana Rucner's performance. The "Happy Chinese New Year" performance concluded amidst rounds of cheers and warm applause. The audience was reluctant to leave expressing continuously highest admiration for Chinese culture and its infinite charm.
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Before the gala, Ambassador Deng held the "Spring Festival Reception". Furthermore, Ambassador Deng, together with the Deputy President of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Xia Chao and Vice Chairman of the China Acrobats Association Qi Chunsheng held a joint press interview with over a dozen media, such as the Croatian Radio Television HRT, Vecernji List, Jutarnji List, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, introducing the achevements of China-Croatia cooperation in various fields in 2014 year, as well as presenting the activities of CFLAC and CAA by announcing the upcoming performance.
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This year China and Croatia celebrate the 10th anniversary of establishing partnership for overall cooperation. The "Happy Chinese New Year" performance stands as the first from the series of events to mark the 10th anniversary, to be staged as well in the City of Rijeka, China Dalian's sister city and in the ancient coastal City of Poreč in Istra County to bring the magic of Chinese culture and Chinese New Year of Goat to the wider Croatian audience.