Tsoncho Ganev, vice president of the Bulgarian National Assembly, attended the event and extended his Chinese New Year greetings.

Hong Hai, director of the China Cultural Center in Sofia, said that this year, within the framework of the "Happy Chinese New Year" initiative, a tour with performances in Varna, Plovdiv, Sofia and Pernik will be presented, so that more local people could feel the joyful atmosphere of the holiday.

Zhina Angelova, one of the participants, told Xinhua that it was "a unique event ... I love Chinese New Year a lot. It is very special to me -- like ours, the Bulgarian one. That's how I feel about it."

It is the third time that she has come to celebrate the Chinese New Year, Angelova said, adding, "I'm very happy."

This year's Spring Festival falls on Jan. 29, kicking off the Year of the Snake.