A wide range of colorful cultural events were held in multiple parts of the world to mark the Spring Festival in the start of the Chinese New Year, with lively performances and festive activities.
Landing on Feb 17 this year, the Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China, celebrated with family reunions, New Year delicacies, and wishes for good luck in the coming year.
On Saturday, a strong festive atmosphere filled the city hall of The Hague, the Netherlands where red lanterns hung overhead and cheerful New Year melodies filled the air.
Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen, along with other Dutch officials and representatives of the Chinese community, extended New Year greetings at the event. They spoke positively about China-Netherlands relations and the contributions made by the Chinese community to local economic and social development.
The stage program of the "Happy Chinese New Year" tour, performed by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe, brought the festive atmosphere to a high point while showcasing the rich heritage and unique charm of traditional Chinese culture through stylized dancing and singing.
Meanwhile, a Spring Festival gala hosted by the U.N. Chinese Book Club was held at the U.N. headquarters in New York, attracting crowds with eye-catching robot dance performances.
The opening robot dance was full of momentum, while a dance inspired by Chinese animated hit NeZha 2 used AI technology to creatively re-imagine the popular IP. The gala also featured a range of cultural performances and exchange activities.
At the event, Khaled Khiari, U.N. assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, expressed appreciation for China's long-standing engagement with the U.N.
"Allow me to once again thank China for its steadfast commitment to the United Nations and to multilateralism. May the year of the Horse bring renewed energy, partnership and progress for all the people we serve," he said.
In Singapore, a Spring Festival gala for Chinese students and scholars studying in Singapore was recently held under the auspices of the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and under organization by the Chinese Scholars and Students Association in Singapore.
The event featured a lively lineup of performances filled with laughter and festive cheer.
Cultural events held in multiple parts of world to mark Chinese New Year
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
