Ukraine hosts lantern show to celebrate Chinese Lantern Festival
Kiev is hosting a lantern show to celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival, which falls on February 19 this year.
The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar, marking the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
A total of 15,000 light bulbs and around two kilometers of silk were used to create 30 sets of lanterns featuring Chinese elements, from a 40-meter-long dragon, to Terracotta warriors and peonies.
All the lanterns were made by local artisans from Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The lantern show has brought a familiar festive atmosphere to the Chinese community in Ukraine.
"I like the lanterns here very much, and I want to spend the Lantern Festival with my grandparents," said Sun Lingzhi, a Chinese primary school pupil.
Visitors can also enjoy local performances and traditional food at the event, including flame dance, mulled wine, and roasted vegetable and bread. The lantern show will last until March 31.