Chinese Lantern Festival jubilations held across world

A range of vibrant cultural activities have been held around the world to mark the Lantern Festival, the grand finale to this year's Chinese New Year celebrations, offering global revelers the chance to explore the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

A joyful event was staged at the Edinburgh City Chambers in the UK on Monday, featuring jubilant dragon and lion dances, folk dances, music and other cultural performances.

"As we embark on this new year, let's carry the spirit of the snake within us and strive for greatness in all that we do. Can I wish you all a very, very joyous Chinese festival filled with abundance, prosperity and good fortune," said Robert Aldridge, lord provost of Edinburgh, at the event.

Closing out the celebration, guests all joined together to sing the melodious Scottish song Auld Lang Syne, accompanied by Scottish bagpipes. One day earlier, a grand festivity took center stage in Italy's Florence with a variety of performances, attracting a large number of local residents, overseas Chinese nationals and tourists.

"I wish the Chinese people good luck in the Year of the Snake. I hope that the relationship between Florence, Tuscany and China will be elevated to a higher level," said Roberto Franceschi, a local resident. Meanwhile, in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama late Sunday joined the Chinese community to mark the Chinese Lantern Festival and celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his speech, Mahama described the festival as a symbol of enlightenment, unity and progress, as the act of lighting and launching lanterns into the sky represents the collective aspirations of the people for peace, prosperity, and a brighter future.

He said the celebration serves as a bridge bonding Ghanaians and Chinese together to celebrate and foster unity.

"The lights of this festival remind us that even in times of darkness, hope must never be lost. It teaches us that resilience, unity, and shared aspirations can help us overcome obstacles and build a better future together," the president said.

Chinese and Ghanaian artists presented various performances featuring the modern and traditional cultures of both countries at the grand celebration, which gathered over 6,000 people.

The Lantern Festival, observed on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Wednesday this year. It celebrates the first full moon of the year.

On this day, people light lanterns to symbolize driving out darkness and bringing hope to the coming year.

Chinese Lantern Festival jubilations held across world

Chinese Lantern Festival jubilations held across world

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests