Luciano Tanto Clement, Consul General of the Republic of Argentina in Shanghai Photo: Courtesy of Consulate General of the Republic of Argentina in Shanghai
Luciano Tanto Clement, Consul General of the Republic of Argentina in Shanghai, expressed his congratulations on the UNESCO inscription.
"The Chinese Spring Festival is a national cultural phenomenon, as the name implies, but it has long been a globally celebrated festivity, much earlier than its inclusion in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In this regard, the UNESCO inscription feels like a well-deserved recognition," he said.
He drew a parallel between the Spring Festival and tango, stating, "In a way, you can compare it to tango, another item on that very list: Originally forged in Argentina, it has evolved into a truly global genre on its own right, just like the Spring Festival."
Clement noted that in Argentina the interest in Chinese traditions and culture, including, of course, the colorful and vivid Spring Festival, is deeply ingrained in its cosmopolitan society and worldview. He highlighted the vibrant celebrations in Buenos Aires' Chinatown, which attract attention beyond the Chinese community.
Reflecting on his own experiences, he said that during the 2024 Spring Festival, he and his family, who live in Qingpu district, Shanghai, enjoyed the fireworks display. "It was a marvelous display that brought back memories of my childhood in Salta, Argentina."