KATHMANDU - A special Spring Festival gala evening has been held in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

The event, hosted by the Chinese embassy in Nepal and inaugurated by Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Friday evening, gave the audience a vivid glimpse into China's rich culture and traditions.

Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong said such events provide an opportunity for the Nepali people to understand better about Chinese art and culture.

"I am very much impressed by this event. I believe culture connects people, so such cultural exchanges boost the friendship between the people of two countries. The show reflected the history, culture and tradition of China so it helped us to know more about China," said Sujata Koirala, Nepal's former deputy prime minister and former foreign minister.

The show drew over 400 people, including former ministers, political leaders, government secretaries and officials, dignitaries, journalists and Chinese community living in Nepal.

Various cultural events, including music and dance performance, photo exhibitions, art shows are also being held in Nepal to celebrate the Spring Festival.

In Lisbon on Saturday, crowds of people lined the streets in downtown in a parade for the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Paraders assembled outside the Anjos Church before marching down Almirante Reis Avenue, one of Lisbon's main arteries. The procession then wound its way along Palma Street, adorned with red lanterns, and into Martim Moniz Square, where a market and stage had been erected.

The gala, the fifth time it has been held in the square, has become a platform for cultural exchange between China and Portugal.

On top of the captivating performance of dragons, drummers, dancers and the Shaolin Temple monks' martial arts displays, there was also a market.

It featured handicrafts, food stalls, calligraphy workshops, Yanghe wine tasting and acupuncture.

Elsewhere, Greeks joined their Chinese friends living in Athens on Saturday in celebration ahead of the festival, sending warm wishes to China for a prosperous and peaceful year.

Ahead of the Chinese New Year which starts on Feb 16, the Chinese community warmly welcomed Greek friends to the Technopolis cultural hub in the center of the Greek capital which was decorated with red lanterns for the occasion.