00:00In a town hall in Paris, the dazzling spectacle of the lion dance, symbolizing good luck and
00:10happiness, drummers sounding the beat, part of France's celebrations of the Lunar New
00:17Year.
00:18This was the event in the capital's 10th district, traditional Chinese dances in the heart of
00:24Paris.
00:27In this neighborhood, there are 70 different nationalities who come together without religious
00:31or community tensions.
00:33It's important for us to welcome them here each year in this town hall, in their town
00:38hall, to make multiculturalism come alive.
00:43Formal ceremonies are being held across the city, including delicious spreads of Chinese
00:48food buffets for guests.
00:51Celebrations to mark the year of the snake are taking place across the French capital
00:55on different dates, but some districts have decorations up throughout the holiday period.
01:04South of the River Seine, in Paris's most famous Chinatown, a lion dance and dragons
01:10snake through the neighborhood.
01:12The show drew crowds and went off with a bang, despite the damp winter weather.
01:19The lion dance happens especially at Chinese New Year to chase away bad spirits and to
01:24bring goodwill and prosperity for the new year.
01:27The sign of the snake can mean darkness, but it also represents good luck, rebirth and
01:32regality.
01:34And events like this reaffirm shared cultural values with the Spring Festival being celebrated
01:39around the world.
01:41Ross Cullen, CGTN, Paris.
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