China Media Group (CMG), the nation's flagship broadcaster, held a "Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala" event at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France on Friday, fascinating viewers who are interested in traditional Chinese culture.
The event was attended by nearly 200 guests, including dignitaries, cultural figures, and representatives from various sectors, as part of a series of international events promoting the annual gala, which will be aired on Tuesday, the eve of the 2025 Chinese New Year.
In a video address, Shen Haixiong, CMG President and Editor-in-Chief, said the Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese New Year, is now recognized and loved across the globe with nearly one-fifth of the world's population celebrating it in various ways.
Not only has the Spring Festival been listed as a United Nations floating holiday, but last year, it was also inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Shen recalled.
As the first CMG Spring Festival Gala since the festival was successfully inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the event this year will fully leverage the CMG's communication advantages of 82 languages to present to audiences across the globe a joyful and auspicious cultural feast with the integration of the CMG's "5G+4K/8K+AI" technological innovations.
Deng Li, Chinese Ambassador to France, described the Spring Festival as a symbol of reunion and hope, celebrated by Chinese people around the world. He noted that nearly 20 countries have designated the Spring Festival as a public holiday and emphasized the festival's message of peace, harmony and shared prosperity.
Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, congratulated China on the inscription of the Spring Festival on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. He noted the festival has rich cultural significance which embodies the values of peace and harmony.
Laurent Le Bon, president of the Centre Pompidou, expressed the honor at hosting the event, noting the institution's long history of facilitating cultural exchange between France and China. He expressed his desire to deepen cooperation and promote mutual understanding between the two civilizations.
After their speeches, captivating performances such as traditional Chinese martial arts, classical dance, a fusion of Chinese and Western musical instruments and lion dancing were staged to create a festive atmosphere.
The CMG also premiered promotional clips for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala and cultural and creative products at the event.
An interactive area outside the venue allowed guests to experience traditional Chinese New Year customs such as shadow puppetry, paper-cutting, and calligraphy.
The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is China's most important traditional holiday, symbolizing reunion, joy, and new beginnings. The 2025 Chinese New Year starts on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a Year of the Snake. The zodiac snake ranks the 6th in the cycle of 12 zodiac animals on the Chinese lunar calendar.
Themed "Year of the Snake, Keep Your Spirits Awake," this year's gala, to be aired at the prime viewing time on Tuesday, will present a rich tapestry of performances, including songs, dances, traditional opera, and comedy sketches.
CMG holds 'Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala' event in Paris
CMG holds 'Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala' event in Paris
CMG holds 'Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala' event in Paris
