Women wearing the traditional Chinese hanfu participate in a fashion show on Saturday in Valletta, Malta. The show, which attracted local residents and tourists, was organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta. The clothes were modeled by 23 female volunteers from China, Malta and Italy. The activity was part of a series of events to celebrate the Chinese New Year. [Photo/Xinhua]

In Valletta, capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes, known as hanfu, walked gracefully along its old street on Saturday afternoon, attracting both the Maltese people and tourists from around the world.

A captivating hanfu show organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta was performed by 23 female participants from China, Malta and Italy.

They held Chinese-style fans and lanterns in their hands and walked along Republic Street, a main street in Valletta, as part of a series of events to celebrate the Spring Festival.

"I love the colors of their hanfu, and the jewelry and hairstyles are also very intricate," Noemi Calisto, an Italian student at the University of Malta, said. Some of her classmates performed in the hanfu show, so she took many photos of them.

Momo Muller and his wife Rita, a couple from Luxembourg, were enthralled by the beauty of the hanfu. Muller told Xinhua News Agency that he visited Beijing about 15 years ago and is looking forward to visiting China again.

Alexander Ouaknine, a 53-year-old owner of a traditional Maltese silver jewelry shop, told Xinhua that the handmade jewelry with silver wire and beautiful traditional Chinese attire are both "wonderful forms of art".

Strong interest

Charmaine Zammit, an official from the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, was among those who participated in the hanfu show. "I have always been interested in Chinese culture and I always longed to wear Chinese traditional costume," she said.

Martina Vella, a 21-year-old design student at the University of Malta, said it was the first time that she and her friends wore hanfu. Vella told Xinhua that she would consider incorporating traditional Chinese elements into her future works.

Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta, said the show was warmly received by the public. "The event showcases the charm of Chinese culture and the significance of cultural exchange between China and the West," she said.

After the hanfu show, the China Cultural Center invited members of the public to try out dressing up in hanfu, write in calligraphy, and make lanterns to celebrate the Spring Festival.

On Saturday night, the Chinese Community Association in Malta hosted a gala to celebrate the Spring Festival at St Aloysius College in central Malta, featuring singing, dance and music performances.

Addressing about 300 attendees at the gala, Peng Yijun, charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Malta, commended the active role of the Chinese Community Association in promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing China-Malta friendship.