A grand parade in Dubai marked the launch of the Year of the Horse. This was stated by Ahmed Al Kafa, Executive Director of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment. 'This event reflects Dubai's values as a global city that celebrates cultural diversity and fosters communication between communities,' he noted. The parade featured Dubai Police's horse riding squad and thousands of performers and spectators, making this event a spectacular kick-off for the city-wide Year of the Horse celebrations.
The event embodied the concept of 'Connecting to the Future' by merging heritage with innovation across three main interactive zones. The 'Heritage Experience' zone showcased traditional Chinese crafts, including Ningxia embroidery, Xiamen's silk thread carving, and Jingdezhen porcelain, alongside tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, and Hanfu traditional attire experiences.
The 'Science and Tech Innovation' zone highlighted cutting-edge Chinese innovations through self-driving vehicles, robots, and augmented reality experiences, emphasizing technology's role in supporting cultural and commercial exchange, while also displaying models of Sino-Arab economic cooperation outcomes.
The 'Culture and Cuisine' zone offered a selection of regional Chinese dishes, including Xinjiang specialties, Yunnan coffee, and products from the 'Imperial Perfume Garden,' reflecting China's provincial diversity. The grand parade for the 'Happy Chinese New Year' officially kicked off Dubai's Year of the Horse celebrations and will continue until the 22nd with a city-wide program.
Entertainment Experiences The Chinese New Year celebration program includes events honoring contemporary Chinese culture at the Mall of the Emirates, entertainment experiences at Dubai's landmarks, cooking classes at Michelin-starred and award-winning restaurants, and exclusive shopping offers at top retail destinations in Dubai. The parade included over 40 performing groups and more than 3,000 artists who presented diverse performances blending Chinese and Emirati heritage.
