China Media Group unveils theme, logo of 2026 Spring Festival Gala

China Media Group (CMG) on Wednesday unveiled the official theme and logo for its 2026 Spring Festival Gala, celebrating the start of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins on February 17, 2026.

Inspired by a poetic line from an ancient anthology of Chinese poetry, the theme of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala is "Galloping steed, Onward unstoppable", CMG announced.

It conveys the determination of the Chinese people to create miracles and move forward with unwavering confidence, and the high expectations the Chinese people have for the new era and the new journey.

The logo for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala incorporates classic elements of traditional Chinese cloud, thunder, and meander patterns to depict four horses galloping side by side. This not only highlights the charm of traditional aesthetics but also conveys the enterprising spirit of the times.

The Chinese lunar year for 2026 is the Year of the Horse, one of the most dynamic and spirited in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle, representing strength, perseverance and unstoppable momentum.

The Spring Festival Gala hosted by CMG has been an essential part of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations since 1983. The gala includes songs, dances, comic sketches, operas and folk arts.

The annual spectacle, known as the most-watched television program in the world, is broadcast on the eve of the Chinese New Year, when families come together to ring in the new lunar year.

This year's Spring Festival Eve falls on Feb 16, 2026.

China Media Group unveils theme, logo of 2026 Spring Festival Gala

The ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia in the area around Oleshky in the Kherson region, known as a "silence regime", took effect at 04:00 Moscow time (0100 GMT) on Tuesday, and will remain in place until 22:59 Moscow time on November 1, according to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova.

She said that no ceasefire breaches by either Russia or Ukraine had been recorded as of 17:30 Moscow time on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets confirmed that both sides had complied with the ceasefire arrangement covering designated areas in Oleshky for humanitarian operations and that no violations had been identified.

Lubinets noted that the ceasefire came into force at 03:00 Kiev time (0100 GMT) on Oct 27 and would run through 22:59 Kiev time on November 1.

On Friday, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the area to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.

Oleshky is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River. The town, currently under Russian control, has been experiencing worsening shortages of food and other essential supplies amid continuous fighting.

Russia, Ukraine confirm ceasefire timetable in Oleshky