March 6, 2017 -- On Monday, as a group of elderly performers danced and sang, members of the Abalin community in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region, rang in the Tibetan New Year.

 

Also known as losar, the new year celebrations are held from the first to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the Tibetan calendar, with the first three days being specially important.

 

"We woke up early to prepare for the performance," said Detsing, one of the members of the Senior Citizens' Performing Team.

 

Like in Abalin, communities in other urban and rural areas of Tibet have been celebrating losar, among the most important local festivals, with cultural activities over the past two days.

 

"We must dress in traditional costumes to celebrate the festival. It's also a way to show our respect to other people," explained Detsing, a 67-year-old retired worker from the Abalin community.