Guests can look forward to celebrating Chinese New Year 2018 with an authentic experience on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination, from February 15-17. During this time visitors will be able to enjoy an array of events from traditional Chinese dances and entertainment to enigmatic performances from the Far East, along with a delicious food market.
The interiors of Al Maryah Island’s waterfront Promenade and luxury shopping destination The Galleria will be transformed into an illuminating display of Chinese lanterns and decorations. A stunning Tree of Fortune (Ang Pao) will be located on the ground floor of The Galleria’s ‘Great Room’, where visitors can make a Chinese New Year wish. Throughout the weekend on the glistening waterfront Promenade, residents and visitors will experience the roaming entertainment of lion dancers, special performances by a Chinese opera singer and the cultural art of Chinese folk and fan dancing, along with an array of delicious Chinese cuisine to try.
There will be a lot of activities for children such as origami making and Chinese paper lanterns as well as kite designing and face painting. Visitors will be enchanted with the arts and crafts section, showcasing Chinese calligraphy, paper marbling and the customary Chinese New Year Red Packet.
“Al Maryah Island and The Galleria has quickly become the hub for cultural activities bringing the Abu Dhabi community together. The Chinese New Year celebration is a spectacular event for all visitors to enjoy and create lasting memories,” says Ali Eid Al Mheiri, executive director, Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure.
“We are pleased to see Chinese traditions so beautifully celebrated in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The city has become a location of regard for Chinese visitors and residents within Abu Dhabi. Al Maryah Island, as a destination, has brought together this community to celebrate the Chinese New Year and it is wonderful to witness our culture being so aptly showcased and commended,” adds Ni Jian, Chinese ambassador to the UAE.
Al Maryah Island waterfront Promenade will bring to life the essence of the orient with traditional Chinese cooking stations, which will take visitors on a culinary journey to China with live demonstrations of authentic cooking techniques. The pinnacle of the celebrations will be the impressive fireworks display, illuminating the entire Promenade in a colourful spectacle on the Friday night.