A special Spring Festival parade in the tradition of the Hakka community was held in Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province, on Tuesday, the first day of the Chinese New Year, enhancing the festive atmosphere and especially impressing the younger generation, who have not seen much of such a tradition.
The parade began in the morning amid the majestic sound of gongs and drums. Fourteen performance teams, comprising hundreds of performers, gathered at the historical Junmenlou, or Military Gate Building, in Ganzhou city and set off to warm applause from onlookers.
The agile and graceful lion dances delivered New Year blessings to the people. Following this, various dragon dance teams took turns performing, showcasing their amazing skills with acrobatic leaps and bounds.
The grand parade proceeded along the main thoroughfares of the city, accompanied by the sounds of gongs and drums and laughter. Many families left their homes, took photos, and experienced the unique charm of traditional culture firsthand.
"I am very proud and hope that this event will bring a unique folk experience to friends who come to Ganzhou for the Spring Festival," said Jiang Fen, one of the performers.
"Such an event allows us, the younger generation, to experience the traditional folk customs of the older generation," said Xing Qinning, a local resident.
Hakka-themed Spring Festival parade in Jiangxi captivates younger audience
As another dazzling China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala drew to a close on early Tuesday morning, sign language performers infused the closing song "Unforgettable Tonight" with heartfelt emotion, allowing viewers with disabilities to share in the celebration and experience every touching note alongside millions of families across China.
For four decades, the final moments of the gala have belonged to "Unforgettable Tonight." For generations, the eve of the Chinese New Year isn't complete until its familiar melody fills living rooms. "Unforgettable Tonight" is not just a song but a cherished tradition that carries the weight of a nation's shared memories and hopes.
Inside a modest rehearsal room, the magic of "barrier-free broadcasting" came alive, as the production team worked to ensure that the visually and hearing-impaired could experience the full energy and emotion of the gala, just like everyone else.
"It might look like sign language is just a set of gestures. But it's so much more. It includes facial expressions, the dynamics, and the tempo of each movement. Every detail expresses the rhythms, melodies, and emotions in the music. As you can see, for this year's 'Unforgettable Tonight' with a lighter tone, the performers made it look effortless, swaying gently as they signed. But if the style changes, so does our signing. We can make it powerful too," said Zhao Zhihui, head of barrier-free broadcasting for the gala.
Last year, the team was challenged by an operatic version of the song, and the sign language mirrored the grandeur: delivered with robust energy and the muscular grace of Chinese opera. But in 2026, the approach was intentionally more intimate. Performers strove to capture even the subtlest change in mood.
"When it was the opera version, our signing was powerful and vigorous, capturing the strength and depth of traditional Chinese opera. This year, we wanted every delicate shift on stage to be fully shared by our visually and hearing-impaired audiences," Zhao shared.
During rehearsal, as the melody of "Unforgettable Tonight" flowed through the room and interpreters began their own choreography, the song revealed a beauty beyond sound and lyrics. Their hands, faces, and movements became a new language of expression, resonating with everyone present.
"It's not really about singing a song. It's about channeling all the emotions we've built up through so many years of the Chinese New Year. The gestures required for this song are simple, just a few basic movements. But every time you perform them, it feels different. Especially the final sign, the emotions are always deeper. Because that moment carries several months of hard work. When you finally succeed and think about 'Unforgettable Tonight,' you realize, what is 'tonight'? It's actually the past months of preparation and effort, all leading to that one final moment when we share the Gala's wonderful performances with every single member of our audience," said Zhao.
Sign language performers bring fresh life to beloved song at Spring Festival Gala
