Benidorm celebrates the Chinese New Year by highlighting the ties that unite the two cultures

The city of Benidorm is celebrating the Chinese New Year for the first time this weekend, a very important celebration for the Chinese community, which is deeply rooted in the city and province. The main event took place this morning in the City Hall's Assembly Hall, with official speeches and the presentation of awards. Following the ceremony, a colourful parade wound its way through the city streets from the City Hall to Elche Park. Mayor Toni Pérez attended the official opening of the celebration, along with members of the local council and representatives of Chinese organisations based in the city and province.

Keke Lou and Enia Jie, representatives of the Chinese Cultural Association for Leisure and Tourism in Spain, noted that this Year of the Fire Horse signifies "energy and spirituality." They affirmed that Chinese and Spanish cultures converge in Benidorm, "two different cultures united by similar values." Those attending the celebration can enjoy food and cultural offerings at the stalls set up on Carrer de Pilota next to the Palau d'Esports (Sports Palace).

For her part, Veling Ong, CEO of Chino Rocket, the organising company, recalled that “it seemed impossible to do this in January, but we did it.” She wanted to “thank the mayor and the Chinese embassy for their support, as well as the Spanish-Chinese collaboration associations in the province and the sponsors.” “This achievement belongs to everyone,” she concluded.

Toni Pérez, the mayor of Benidorm, addressed those present, emphasising that Benidorm “is your home, your adopted land.” Pérez encouraged everyone to “experience this celebration in a monumental format, one that spills out into the streets and aims to share the culture, gastronomy, and spirit of the Chinese people with the people of Benidorm.”

The mayor also specified that people of Chinese origin who have chosen Benidorm in recent years “have done so with the intention of staying,” something which, in his opinion, is motivated “because we have always been a generous city, offering and giving much more than we ask in return.”

“Benidorm is different from many other tourist destinations and cities precisely because it has always seen diversity as an opportunity to grow. That is why it is unique. And that is how we want to continue to be known both within and beyond our borders, as a prosperous and welcoming land, as a hospitable and multicultural city,” he concluded.

After speeches and the presentation of gifts by various representatives of the Chinese community in Benidorm and the surrounding province, a colourful parade took place on the stage of the Auditorium, featuring the fish as its central figure, a species that in Chinese culture symbolises abundance and prosperity. “Each lantern, which is one of these handcrafted fish, contains the vital spirit of the Chinese provinces,” explained the organisers.

In the afternoon, the mayor visited José Pérez Devesa pilota court, accompanied by several local council members. At the venue, sponsors and collaborators in the organisation of the Chinese New Year celebrations had set up various stalls selling typical Chinese products. Visitors could find gifts, books, sweets, and traditional recipes, learning to write their name in Chinese or purchase the classic handmade lanterns so characteristic of that culture.