As the Spring Festival approaches, Chinese embassies and cultural centers worldwide are staging vibrant celebrations to welcome the Year of the Horse, showcasing traditional music, opera, and martial arts to international audiences.
The Chinese Embassy in Latvia, in collaboration with Chinese Culture Center in Riga, hosted a special cultural performance and Spring Festival reception in the capital of the Baltic country on Wednesday. Nearly 800 attendees, including local people from all walks of life and overseas Chinese, were treated to a vibrant performance by Chinese artists featuring traditional music, folk songs and martial arts.
The Chinese Embassy in Serbia on Wednesday held a Peking Opera-themed Spring Festival reception at the National Theater in Belgrade. Presented by the China National Peking Opera Company, the event saw over 600 participants, including Serbian political leaders and local people from all walks of life.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic sent a congratulatory message to the event, wishing that the Year of the Horse brings happiness and strength to the peoples of both countries, and that the Serbia-China relations would move forward like a galloping horse.
Featuring classic Peking Opera repertoire like The Drunken Beauty, the event received enthusiastic applause.
"It was fantastic, very high artistic level. The new year [is] the Year of the Horse. I wish that it brings us prosperity and peace, and stronger bond between the Serbian and Chinese people," said Dusko, a Serbian audience member.
The Chinese Embassy in Mauritania, along with the Mauritanian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday held a Spring Festival celebration for Chinese residents in this western African country. Held in the capital city of Nouakchott, the event featured over 10 performances, including songs, dances, and martial arts, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
The promotional video of the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was also shown during the event, resonating deeply with the local Chinese community.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a prominent commercial area on Thursday held a special Spring Festival celebration event. Traditional cultural performances, such as folk rhymes and martial arts, have attracted international visitors to stop and watch.
The promotional video of CMG's 2026 Spring Festival Gala was displayed on several electronic billboards throughout the area.
The Spring Festival, the most important traditional festival in China that marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb 17 this year, ushering the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. It's a time for families reunite, take part in various customs, and exchange good wishes for happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.
Chinese embassies lead global Spring Festival celebrations to deepen cultural ties
