China's Spring Festival is being celebrated across the world with a vibrant showcase of diverse activities including lion dance and concert spreading a festive vibe globally while showing the charm of traditional Chinese culture.
The 2025 Spring Festival fell on Jan 29 this year, marking the first day of the Year of the Snake, the 6th in the cycle of 12 zodiac animals on the Chinese calendar.
This year marks the first Spring Festival since it was officially inscribed on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, further amplifying the festive atmosphere.
Amid the sounds of firecrackers and drums, lion dancers moved to the rhythm of the beat, gracefully interacting with the audience in Japan's Yokohama Chinatown Wednesday.
With a sharp clang of the gong, the lion dancers suddenly leaped up and snatched a red envelope hanging from an archway, drawing an enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Yokohama Chinatown's Spring Festival celebration has a history of nearly 40 years. The celebrations will continue until the Lantern Festival, with more than 50 event sites, making it the largest edition to date.
"Actually, we came here today like randomly and we discovered that there was this event. So we were so happy to discover that. It's very interesting. I love the music and how dynamic it is. I wish we would know what is the tradition behind the door," said a tourist.
In Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day was held Saturday to welcome the Year of the Snake with over 200 stalls selling traditional and exotic Chinese hot delicacies, Chinese New Year foodstuffs, Chinese traditional arts and crafts, and promoting advisory services.
This annual Chinese New Year celebration has been organized by the Auckland Chinese Community Center Inc for over 30 years.
"It's another opportunity today to celebrate Auckland's huge diversity as a city full of culture and rich with ideas and it's shown up by the number of events like Chinese new year festival celebration," said Wayne Brown, mayor of Auckland.
To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the China Conservatory of Music is touring major European countries, including Germany, Belgium and Austria, from Jan 27 to Feb 4, bringing a musical feast full of Chinese music to European audience. A concert was held at Bozar Art Center in Brussels on Wednesday.
The concert features a star-studded lineup, with China Conservatory of Music's president and renowned conductor Li Xincao leading the orchestra. He was joined by outstanding musicians such as famous guzheng player Wang Zhongshan, pipa player Yang Tingting, suona player Zhang Qianyuan, and erhu player Ma Ke, all of whom performed classic pieces.
As a top school in China's music education scene, the China Conservatory of Music, established in 1964, has also been committed to performing Chinese music. The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the conservatory.
"Today's concert is really an excellent opportunity that people from Belgium, from all over (the world) can learn more about China's traditions, culture and to enrich cultural understanding between both sides," said a spectator.
Chinese New Year celebrations convey festive joy globally
