Local Chinese hold fast to roots, share culture in Argentina

[Photo/Xinhua]

With still several months to go before the next Chinese New Year, 57-year-old Chen Jing, a local Chinese entrepreneur, has already eagerly started to prepare for a show to be staged here on the eve of the festival.

Previous performances of her show, "Chinese Street," have attracted large audience every year in the Argentine capital and become a key cultural event, but not only for locals. "It's like a dream that comes true," Chen said.

Chen came to Argentina with her daughter 23 years ago and started her own business by selling silk handicrafts and souvenirs she made herself. Her products were well received by local customers, and her business kept growing.

"In a country so far away from our homeland, the traditional Chinese culture, deeply rooted in our hearts, still helps us to succeed and win respect," Chen said, adding that promoting Chinese culture in Argentina had always been her dream.

In 2011, the "Chinese Street" show directed by Chen made its debut in Buenos Aires on the eve of the Chinese New Year. The performance that includes martial arts, a dragon dance and traditional Chinese music soon became a new cultural magnet for the city.

The show, now an annual event, attracts around 300,000 people from all over the world each year. The municipal government of Buenos Aires is considering making Chinese Spring Festival a public holiday there.