Cantonese culture spotlighted at Kennedy Center

Cantonese culture and customs was celebrated and spotlighted at the Chinese New Year Family Day 2019 hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Feb 9.

Family Day is the Kennedy Center's annual Lunar New Year festivities. This year, it celebrated the Year of the Pig with three days of festivities, including special events showcasing the arts and culture of China's Guangdong province.

An artist showcases his Guangcai ceramic work during the Chinese New Year Family Day 2019 event hosted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Feb 9. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

About 7,000 people attended the event to admire Chinese handicrafts and participated in interactive activities, which included Cantonese lion dances, Guangcai ceramics, trying on Cantonese Opera costumes, an opera costume exhibition, marionette puppets with attendees able to manipulate lion puppets, making red lantern, and traditional Cantonese music demonstrations.

Foreigners dress up in Cantonese opera costumes and pose for a photo during the Chinese New Year Family Day 2019 event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Feb 9. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

It was the fourth year for Kennedy Center to host its annual Family Day and the 2019 event was held by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province and the administration of culture, radio, film, television, press and publication of Guangzhou.

Young participants at the Chinese New Year Family Day 2019 take part in a children's art activity  during the event on Feb 9. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

A participant shows off her drawing at the Chinese New Year Family Day 2019 event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

A young guest is entranced by the Cantonese lion dance during the Chinese New Year Family Day 2019 event on Feb 9. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]