MADRID, March 2 (Reuters) - Martin Satriano's superb first-half volley earned Getafe a shock 1-0 victory at Real Madrid in LaLiga on Monday, a result that left leaders Barcelona four points clear at the top of the standings.
Joyful moment: Jie , Liu and Bai praised Malaysia’s Chinese New Year for its rich festive atmosphere and unique local flavour, highlighting the cross-cultural celebrations that allowed them to experience something new.
— LEONG WAI YEE/The Star PETALING JAYA: Foreign visitors this festive season have enjoyed an immersive experience, from tossing yee sang to making kuih kapit and attending community gatherings. Other attractions have included witnessing Malaysia’s daring lion dance, performed on tall stilts, to add a thrilling and distinctly local flair to the Chinese New Year. Chinese netizens have praised Malaysia as the country with the strongest Chinese New Year atmosphere – even more than in China. Malaysia-China Friendship Association deputy secretary- general Ng Chin Long commended the local Chinese community for preserving its traditions through strong social cohesion. “There is strong awareness that preserving education and Chinese culture honours our ancestors. This mindset has been continuously passed down in Malaysia,” he said. Ng noted that local Chinese culture is not a replica of China’s, but a localised evolution shaped by Malaysia’s plural society. “Our multicultural environment has enriched Chinese culture here and given it distinct local characteristics,” he said, adding that the Chinese New Year season, including Chap Goh Meh which falls today, also underscored Malaysia’s diversity and tourism appeal. Backing his view was Lydia Liu, a 33-year PhD student from Taiyuan in China’s Shanxi province, who described the Chinese New Year celebration here as “complete and vibrant”. She said many of China’s netizens not only praised Malaysia’s strong Chinese-language education, but also the emphasis on teaching children etiquette and courtesy. “Interest in experiencing the ‘Nanyang Chinese New Year’ has been growing on social media. Many people are keen to come to Malaysia to experience the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Hokkiens’ Pai Ti Kong prayers in Penang on the ninth day and Chap Goh Meh,” she said. Liu said she began sensing the festive mood as early as in December, when shopping malls rolled out large-scale decorations and played Chinese New Year songs. She added that while the Lantern Festival in China typically centres on solving lantern riddles and eating tangyuan, Chap Goh Meh in Malaysia is more varied and lively. Engineer Colin Jie, 32, from Qinghai, China, said he has worked across South-East Asia for about a decade, but finds the Chinese New Year celebrations here to be diverse and appealing. “Malaysia offers the strongest Chinese New Year atmosphere. The festive mood here is the closest to what we see in China,” he said.“The tossing symbolises prosperity and good fortune. It was very new to me at first, but I know now that it is an essential local custom,” he said. “Family members often dress in coordinated colours, and many men even buy traditional Tang suits for the occasion. Even friends invite you to their reunion dinners, and Chinese associations here hold open houses attended by people of different races. It feels very joyful with everyone exchanging greetings,” he added. Brando Bai, 38, a sports PhD candidate from Inner Mongolia, finds the cross-cultural nature of the celebration most striking, with people of various races greeting each other and celebrating together without barriers.“Back home, Chinese New Year means snow and cold weather. Celebrating in short sleeves has been an experience!” he added.
Chinese Visitor Preserving Traditional Chinese Culture Uniquely Malaysian
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