![Local Tibetans get together to watch a performance for the celebration of Tibetan New Year in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Sichuan Province. [Photo/CRI Online]](./W020120301497448195757.jpg)
Local Tibetans get together to watch a performance for the celebration of Tibetan New Year in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China's Sichuan Province. [Photo/CRI Online]
Feburary 22 marked the first day of Losar or Tibetan New Year in 2012 on the Tibetan calendar.
Dressed in traditional Tibetan costumes, locals watched dancing and singing performances to celebrate Tibetan New Year in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
As a key part of the Khampa Tibetan area, Garze is known as the "dancing and singing sea" and various cultural activities are essential for locals to celebrate the Losar festival.
Recently, dancing and singing performances with strong Tibetan flavor have taken place in Sichuan's Tibetan counties, such as Tardo and Rontrak. Original songs and Gorchom circle dance (a kind of traditional Tibetan dance) were quite popular among locals.
The Losar celebration will last till March 1 in Garze. The Garze song and dance troupe will put on happiness-themed theatrical performances along the way from Tardo to other Tibetan villages.
Apart from singing and dancing performances, Garze will organize traditional Tibetan sports events, such as horse races and stock-holding races.
