A festive reception organized by the Chinese Embassy under the theme "Enjoying the Taste of China - Searching for the Charm of Culture" was held at the Yildiz Hotel in the capital on Saturday. This event, dedicated to the New Year 2025 and the Chinese Spring Festival, gave guests the opportunity to touch the rich heritage of the Celestial Empire.

The reception began with a vibrant exhibition where traditional Chinese culture came to life. To show its various facets, an immersive space was created in the hotel lobby, allowing everyone to experience the unique charm of Chinese traditions, arts and folk crafts.

Participants could try on national costumes, exquisite silk outfits, feel like real Chinese beauties and handsome men and preserve these moments in photographs; the organizers took care of a special corner for photo sessions.

Also, at the exhibition, it was possible to paint masks for traditional characters of the Peking Opera using a stencil or come up with your own sketch.

Children were especially keen on this activity, rushing to embody a new playful image. They listened with admiration to stories about dragons and phoenixes and imagined themselves as little kung fu masters.

Those who were a little older could practice writing hieroglyphs or practice the art of cutting out patterns from paper, which is called jianzhi.

The central element of the exhibition was the tea ceremony. To the sounds of soft music, masters revealed the secrets of tea preparation, demonstrating the harmony of movements and respect for the drink, which in China is called the "elixir of life".

Nearby, visitors could watch the creation of dumplings - a dish symbolizing unity and happiness in Chinese culture, and ready-made delicious gyoza could be tasted right there.

The official part began with a speech by the Chinese Ambassador, who stressed the importance of cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the peoples.

In 2024, under the strategic leadership of the leaders of the two countries, the China-Turkmenistan comprehensive strategic partnership maintained stable development momentum and confidently advanced towards the creation of a Community of Shared Future, Ambassador Qian Naicheng said.

He stressed that high-level contacts between the two countries are becoming closer, and cooperation in various fields such as energy, economy and trade, transport and communications, science and technology, and humanitarian cooperation are demonstrating high-quality development. In this context, the Chinese diplomat noted the successful holding of the meetings of the Subcommittee on Energy Cooperation and the Subcommittee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, the holding of a scientific and innovation forum, and the joint organization of the "Year of Culture".

Culture is a bridge for deepening the connection between peoples and promoting dialogue among civilizations. Chinese culture is colorful and magnificent, with a special emphasis on openness and inclusiveness, Qian Naicheng continued, inviting everyone to immerse themselves in the unique world of tradition and modernity, enjoy delicious food, taste fine wines and watch creative performances.

"In the new year, we are ready to move forward with our Turkmen friends to fully implement the important agreements reached by the heads of state of the two countries, and continuously deepen strategic cooperation. We will carry out a more comprehensive, balanced and spatial development of relations in all areas, promote the advancement of ties between China and Central Asia, and work together to build a closer China-Turkmen Community of Shared Destiny for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples!" the ambassador concluded.

Warm New Year greetings and good wishes became the prologue to a gastronomic journey to the Celestial Empire. The tasting of Chinese cuisine became a discovery of interesting combinations of bright aromas, delicate textures and deep flavors, as well as unusual variations with ingredients, sauces and spices.

Each dish concealed the history and traditions of Chinese cuisine. In addition to delicacies, guests were offered to appreciate the bouquets of Chinese wines. And this is also a whole philosophy, rooted in the ancient times of this ancient civilization.

In China, many varieties of grapes are grown, both European and local. This allows you to create wines with a wide range of flavors - from light and fruity to rich and tannic. Many varieties of wine have medicinal properties and are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The festive atmosphere was complemented by songs and dances performed by the embassy staff, who surprised everyone with their talents and artistry. Their bright costumes, smooth movements and heartfelt melodies created a feeling of complete immersion in the cultural world of China.

For example, the number performed by adviser on trade and economic issues Li Yue was memorable. This is an inspiring ode to China, which has achieved remarkable successes and greatest achievements on the path of its development, so the call to sing the praises of the homeland sounds convincing and powerful.

Ashgabat singer Elena Oreshkina delighted the audience with familiar songs from the New Year's repertoire, bringing a cheerful mood and exciting anticipation of New Year's Eve with faith in the fulfillment of the brightest hopes to the festive atmosphere.

During the evening, another pleasant surprise awaited the guests - a prize draw from the Chinese airline "China Southern Airlines". The prizes were tickets for flights from Ashgabat to cities in China, the main one being a business class flight to Xi'an.

After the names of all the lucky winners were announced, a large cake decorated with inscriptions wishing a happy New Year was brought into the hall. To the sounds of oriental music, the guests gathered around the sweet treat, sharing their impressions of the evening.

The atmosphere was so warm and friendly that everyone sincerely communicated with each other, and language barriers were easily removed with smiles and handshakes. This moment became a bright end to the evening, which everyone will remember for a long time.

The event in "Yildiz" became not just a celebration of taste, but also a bridge connecting traditions and modernity. Each guest took with them not only the impressions and charm of China, but also a piece of the Chinese soul - ancient and multifaceted, like the culture of this amazing country itself.

ORIENT