CCTV9英语新闻：Shanghai expats celebrate Holi hugs!

The two-week Indian festival of Holi - also known as the "Festival of Colors" - involves hugs and frolic to celebrate the beginning of Spring. But there's a spiritual element too - a time to end conflict and repair ruptured relationships.

Around 30 expats celebrated Holi at an Indian restaurant in Minhang District. Children sprayed colored powder solutions on each other, while adults smeared dry colored powder on each other's faces -- a major festival tradition.

"It's about colors, not only about different types colors, it's about expressing love, happiness, harmony, peace with different people. We celebrate with a lot of enthusiasm every year in India."

The two-week Indian festival of Holi - also known as the "Festival of Colors" - involves hugs and frolic to celebrate the beginning of Spring. But there's a spiritual element too - a time to end conflict and repair ruptured relationships.

Holi brings people from different communities and age groups together, and hugging strangers is another custom. It wasn't just Indian expats who were enjoying the celebration.

"This is our first time. We have been to India over Chinese New Year, so we started to become interested in India. We saw this, and here we are. We are American. Other than just Indian restaurants, we really didn't know much about India," said Nocole Stewart, US expat.

"I would say this event is so popular, as well as so important for Indian children as well. For example, for my kids, when I take them here for this festival, they know the significance we have behind Holi as a festival," said Anuja Dorle, community center Shanghai.

Holi is one of India's major festivals and lasts up to 16 days. It also provides an occasion to renew ruptured relationships, end conflict, and rid oneself of accumulated emotional turmoil from the past. It is celebrated at the end of winter and usually falls somewhere between late February and mid March.