This Thursday, the Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Zhao Jun and his entourage, were guests of the municipal swimming pool at a special evening in honor of the Chinese New Year.  Among the guests were also representatives of the Chinese consulate.

About one hundred people attended the unique event held for the first time at the swimming pool, and ushered in the Year of the Tiger, at the start of the month of February, according to Chinese tradition.

The evening was led by Mayor Nahum Hofree and attended by municipal officials and employees, Ms. Ruth Sofer, a tai chi master and coach at the municipal swimming pool and her students who put on a showcase performance, and other guests.

The Chinese Ambassador toured the pool facilities and watched the Tai Chi performance.  He thanked the Raanana Municipality and stressed that “it is a great honor for me to be a guest of a city like Raanana, which contributes to the strengthening of the bond between the cultures and promotes Chinese culture.”

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “Chinese culture is one of the most ancient cultures in the world, with a rich heritage of values and tradition preserved over thousands of years.  This unique culture attracts and fascinates many people around the world, and for us, hosting the Chinese Ambassador to Israel was a fascinating, enriching and enjoyable meeting of cultures.”

In the photo:  Chinese Ambassador to Israel (5th from the right) and Raanana Mayor (6th from the right) together with municipal representatives, the ambassador’s entourage and Ms. Ruth Sofer (1st from the left) at the Municipal Swimming Pool.  Photo courtesy of the Raanana Municipality.