Performers celebrate the Chinese New Year in Jubilee Sq, Maidstone, Kent, Britain, Jan 28, 2017. [Photo/IC]

"This is a day of joy and happiness also for the city of Rome," Li told the audience."The 2017 is the Year of the Rooster, which, in Chinese traditional culture, symbolizes patience, strength, courage, compassion and reliability," he added.

On her side on the stage, Rome mayor Virginia Raggi also stressed the symbolic and cultural value of the event.

"We know the rooster symbolizes, among other things, industriousness and business attitude," the mayor said.

"These traits are best represented by the Chinese people, and by the Chinese community that is one of the largest and most integrated in our city."

Welcoming the arrival of the 2017 Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, meant something slightly different, according to the people in the square.

For many children around, it was a way to play together and experience a show unusual for them.

For Ivan Illomei, 38, it was a chance to get in touch again with the Chinese culture, which he appreciated.

"I have worked twice as a communication expert in China -- for some six months and four months, respectively -- and I have learned to love it."

"Today, I wanted to bring also my two daughters to enjoy all of this," Illomei told Xinhua.

Diana and Sofia, his little girls, said they were especially captured by a graceful female dancer performing acrobatics, and by the Kung Fu athletes.

To Mr. Hu and his two sons, on the other hand, the celebrations in Piazza del Popolo were an occasion to rejoin their own roots. The entrepreneur has been living and working in Rome for the last three years.

"This is a good opportunity to reconnect with our own traditions and home culture, and especially for my two children," Hu said.