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CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake

China

CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake
China

China

CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake

2025-01-29 02:38 Last Updated At:04:17

The 2025 Spring Festival Gala hosted and aired by the China Media Group (CMG) has delivered over four hours of captivating cultural performances to audiences tuning in from all around the world as people celebrate one of the most important Chinese holidays.

The gala opened at 20:00 Tuesday Beijing time on the eve of the Chinese New Year of the Snake, with performances being staged at the main venue in Beijing and at four sub-venues across the country, namely Wuxi, Wuhan, Chongqing and Lhasa.

Themed "Year of the Snake, Keep Your Spirit Awake", the annual television extravaganza featured a dazzling array of singing and dancing, opera, comedy sketches, martial arts and other performances.

As the first gala held since the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the Spring Festival on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December last year, this year's show featured more elements of intangible cultural heritage such as Lazi Duixie, a traditional tap dance from Lazi County in Xizang Autonomous Region, and the ritual act of Yingge Dance which is popular in the Chaoshan area of the southern Guangdong Province.

Highlighting a blend of traditional and modern elements, with performances ranging from humanoid robots performing folk dances, to operas with regional traditions, to comedy sketches and magic tricks, the gala once again demonstrated the rich and diverse culture of China as it brought together artists from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and performers of various ethnic groups.

A delightful collision of cultures was also displayed at the event, with Chinese and Peruvian artists sharing the stage to deliver a performance blending a traditional Chinese folk song with a popular Peruvian orchestral musical piece.

The gala also featured a performance by American pop rock band OneRepublic, who gave a rendition of their popular single 'Counting Stars' from the stage of the sub-venue in Wuhan.

The marathon variety show reached its climax with the countdown to New Year and the ringing of the midnight bell signaling the arrival of the Year of the Snake.

Also known as "Chunwan", the gala was first broadcast in 1983 and is seen as a major cultural symbol for Spring Festival celebrations in China.

Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual TV program, the hours-long television extravaganza attracts over a billion views every year.

CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake

CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake

CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake

CMG stages annual Spring Festival Gala as China celebrates Year of Snake

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Folklore events held across China to celebrate of Year of Snake

2025-01-31 21:12 Last Updated At:21:37

People across China are enthusiastically taking part in folklore events to appreciate the festive performances and captivating sceneries around the country as nationwide scenic areas offer thoughtfully designed activities to heighten joyous atmosphere for anticipating visitors.

As the first Chinese New Year arriving after the successful inscription of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO list in December, the Year of the Snake witnessed a series of cultural activities, including folk performances, being presented across China to celebrate the special occasion.

In Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, scenic areas showcased a slew of intangible cultural heritage folk performances to attract Spring Festival spectators.

The similar scenes were on in Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, with exciting shows being rolled out in Spring Festival markets.

In southwest China's Sichuan Province, Langzhong ancient town launched a series of performances to showcase local intangible cultural heritage and folk arts, inviting spectators to experience the charm of traditional culture.

"The festive atmosphere here is very strong. The intangible cultural heritage shows and the folk performances were also fantastic. Traveling to Langzhong ancient town and experiencing the festive atmosphere here gave special meaning to my Spring Festival," said Liu Ting, a tourist.

The just-concluded 2025 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala also became a brand for cities like Chongqing and Lhasa, where a splendid sub-venue was set and became popular among tourists after the grand celebration was broadcast live nationwide on Tuesday.

"I visit Chongqing because one of the sub-venues of the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was set here. I saw the main stage, which is really spectacular, and the views along the Jialing River are also impressive," said Lin Chen, another tourist.

Another sub-venue set before the Potala Palace, a landmark of Lhasa City, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, also gained increasing popularity among tourists, with the number of visitors to the iconic scenic spot increasing by 21 percent year over year.

In Longyan City, east China's Fujian Province, series of festivities such as lantern fairs heightened joyous atmosphere for tourists who are lucky enough to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake in characteristic folk performances.

Folklore events held across China to celebrate of Year of Snake

Folklore events held across China to celebrate of Year of Snake

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