In Historic First, Global Lunar New Year Celebrations Kick-Off in New York with "Happy Chinese New Year" Fireworks Spectacular Over the Hudson River
China Central Academy of Fine Arts Host First Large-Scale Fireworks Display Ever in U.S. to Commemorate Chinese Lunar New Year
NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, in a change from tradition, the first major global celebrations for Chinese Lunar New Year took place not in China, but in the United States, with a dazzling fireworks show over the Hudson River on Tuesday, February 17th organized by China's largest and most prestigious arts academy, the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA).
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Titled "Harmonious China" and conducted in partnership with Fireworks by Grucci, the twenty-minute fireworks display commenced in New York at 7:30PM EST on February 17th utilizing three-barges on the Hudson River, nearly equaling the scope of the iconic Macy's Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular. The display marked the first-ever large-scale fireworks display in the U.S. to commemorate Chinese Lunar New Year.
Viewing was possible along the Hudson River form both Midtown Manhattan and New Jersey sides, and there was live accompanying music broadcast on three local radio stations-- WKDM AM1380, WZRC AM1480 and WGBB AM1240-- featuring special music composed by Guan Xia, director of the China National Symphony Orchestra.
The fireworks display was divided into four thematic and emotional chapters—starting with "Great Jubilance", followed by "The Return of Spring", then "Illumination of Stars and the Moon", and concluding with a powerful "Universal Celebration".
The fireworks kick-off a week of Lunar New Year events at cultural institutions around New York City as part of CAFA's "Happy Chinese New Year: Fantastic Art China", including a public art exhibition at the Rubenstein Atrium and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center (Feb 18-24), a lighting display of the Empire State Building (Feb 17-18), and other events hosted by partners including the New York Philharmonic, New-York Historical Society, National Dance Institute, US-China Cultural Institute / Committee of 100, the China Institute, and the Chinese Consulate in New York.
Visit fantastic.art.china.cn or follow www.facebook.com/chinanewyearnyc and www.twitter.com/chinanewyearnyc for more information.
SOURCE China Central Academy of Fine Art
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