wonderland

SOFIA, Bulgaria, May 26, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Amidst a vibrant sea of peonies in Sofia’s South Park, Bulgaria, the “Peony Blossom Celebration: A Springtime Cultural Gathering” kicked off on May 17, drawing hundreds from across the country eager to witness Bulgaria in full bloom. The event, graced by representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia Municipality, Chelopech Municipality, the Sofia municipal company “Parks and Urban Gardens,” and the China Cultural Center in Sofia, showcased a delightful fusion of cultural heritage and floral elegance.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Publicity Department of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee, the event transformed into a vivid tapestry of Chinese culture, featuring immersive peony-themed photo exhibitions and interactive cultural experiences. A charitable aspect, supported by the “For Our Children” Foundation, saw enthusiastic public response to embassy-donated books and peony-themed cultural and creative products from Heze.

The vibrant display of peony-themed photography harmonized beautifully with South Park’s blooming flowers, allowing visitors to witness the peony’s rich varieties and the profound heritage of Chinese culture. Guests savored peony-infused tea and delicacies, donned intricately embroidered Hanfu adorned with peony motifs, and explored artisanal creations such as peony porcelain, wheat-straw art, wood carvings, and woven rope peonies. Engaging hands-on activities, including peony painting workshops and trivia sessions, further enhanced the joyous atmosphere.

“Peonies symbolize nobility, prosperity, and happiness, embodying values of harmony and shared beauty that resonate deeply with the Bulgarian people,” said Sofia Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov, who conveyed a message from Mayor Vasil Terziev. The mayor praised the gathering as a reflection of the richness of Chinese culture and a celebration of dialogue, mutual understanding, and friendship, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual bond between the two peoples.

As part of a commemorative project marking the 75th anniversary of China-Bulgaria diplomatic relations, 700 peony plants from Heze were transplanted to Sofia’s South Park, Plovdiv Cultural Park, and the Botanical Garden of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 2024. These peonies now bloom in Bulgaria, each blossom narrating a story of friendship and peace.

Wang Min, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, referred to the event as a celebration of friendship and beauty. She expressed hope that Heze’s peonies would flourish in Bulgaria, serving as enduring symbols of friendship, cultural exchange, and emotional connection between the two nations.

Milena Vaseva, Director of Sofia’s “Parks and Urban Gardens,” reflected on her recent visit to Heze, commending the city’s comprehensive peony industry, which integrates cultivation, trade, and full-plant utilization. She highlighted the city’s peony gardens, which blend horticulture, cultural festivities, and leisure, expressing hopes for continued collaboration to ensure Sofia’s peonies flourish.

Source: Publicity Department of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee

–BERNAMA

SUIZHOU, China, May 26, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

A grand ancestral worship festival in the hometown of Chinese Yan Emperor was held in Suizhou, central China’s Hubei Province, on May 23.

This year’s festival, highlighted by sophisticated ritual music, seeks to create a national-level sacrificial ceremony rooted in cultural traditions and showcasing the spirit of the times.

On the morning of May 23, the Lieshan Ancestral Worship Square was filled with the rumble of drums and the melodious chimes of bells. Worship guests formed neat lines and, guided by the ceremonial procession, the grand ceremony to pay homage to Yan Emperor Shennong began in a solemn atmosphere.

The lunar April 26 of each year marks the birthday of Yan Emperor Shennong. This year, Suizhou launched an online co-sacrifice initiative, innovatively using digital technologies such as AI interaction with Yan Emperor and virtual candle-lighting and flower-offering, which allows Chinese descendants at home and abroad to participate in the ceremony in real time and offer blessings online.

The festival, organized by the People’s Government of Suizhou City, was inaugurated in 2009 and the Suizhou Shennong sacrificial ceremony was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. It has become a landmark cultural event demonstrating the long-standing Chinese civilization, a spiritual symbol highlighting the unyielding spirit of the Chinese nation, and a bridge uniting Chinese worldwide.

The festival was co-hosted by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Association for Yan Huang Culture of China, and the People’s Government of Hubei Province. 

Exchange and cooperation platforms themed around special-purpose vehicles, emergency response, cultural communication and cultural and tourism promotion were also organized during the event, with an aim to boost the introduction of investment projects and promote characteristic products and services to the world.

Source: The People’s Government of Suizhou City

–BERNAMA

Established in 1935, the Moscow Metro has grown into one of the world’s largest urban transit networks, spanning over 550 kilometers and serving more than 8 million passengers daily. Its 90th anniversary is marked by historical exhibitions and continued advancements in digital transport technology.

MOSCOW, May 23 (Bernama) — The Moscow Metro has reached its 90th year of operation, marking a significant milestone for one of the world’s largest and longest-running urban transit systems. Since its inauguration in 1935, the system has expanded to cover over 550 kilometers of track, with 302 stations, serving an average of 8 million passenger trips per weekday.

Maksim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, said, “The opening of the Metro in 1935 was a historic event for our capital and the entire country. Even then, decades ago, the workers and builders set the highest standards for passenger service. Today, in line with the goals set by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, we continue to uphold that standard. More than 65,000 people are currently employed by the Moscow Metro. They not only help serve millions of passengers every day, but also work hard to earn the continued trust of Muscovites, so that each journey leaves a positive impression. I want to thank every employee for their dedication and wish them continued success.”

Initially launched with a single line spanning 11.5 kilometers and 13 stations, the Moscow Metro has expanded steadily over the past nine decades. In 2024 alone, the system transported 2.7 billion passengers.

Modernization has been a continuous process. Today, more than 75% of trains are newly developed models equipped with features such as automated speed control, open gangways, and updated safety systems. These advancements enable high-frequency operations, with intervals as short as 90 seconds during peak hours.

The system has also implemented digital ticketing solutions, including smart cards, virtual ticket options, and biometric payments, now used in the majority of daily trips. These technologies aim to streamline passenger flow and improve accessibility.

To mark the anniversary, a series of events and exhibitions were organized in the city, highlighting both the history and evolution of the metro system. Public displays featured restored early-generation trains and archival materials documenting the network’s development.

As one of the world’s most heavily used metro systems, the Moscow Metro continues to play a central role in urban transportation, reflecting broader trends in infrastructure investment, technological integration, and mass transit development over the past century.

SOURCE: Moscow Metro

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Press Office
State Unitary Enterprise Moscow Metro
Email: PanovAA3@transport.mos.ru

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) — The Organising Committee of ICOM Dubai 2025, in collaboration with the International Council of Museums – United Arab Emirates (ICOM UAE), has launched its Grant Programme for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

This initiative highlights the committee’s dedication to ensuring inclusivity and accessibility ahead of the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai this November.

According to a statement, applications for the grant programme can be submitted via the official ICOM Dubai 2025 website, with the deadline for submissions being May 31.

The Organising Committee Chairperson and Dubai Culture Director General, Hala Badri said the Grant Programme embodies the conference’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“At ICOM Dubai 2025, we are nurturing a legacy built on inclusion, opportunity and shared purpose. This Grant Programme reflects our belief that a diversity of voices must shape the future of museums,” she said.

A total of 140 grants will be awarded, with 70 for in-person participation, covering travel, accommodation, visa fees and full admission, and 70 for complimentary digital access.

The programme is open to museum professionals, students, and cultural practitioners from or contributing to the MEASA region, particularly those aligned with the conference’s core themes, namely intangible heritage, youth involvement, and new technologies.

Established in 1946, ICOM is the global organisation supporting museum development and professional standards. It has more than 57,000 members across 129 countries and nearly 20,000 museums worldwide.

— BERNAMA