Feature: Zurich community embrace Chinese New Year traditions, festive joy-Xinhua

Feature: Zurich community embrace Chinese New Year traditions, festive joy

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-01-28 05:28:30

ZURICH, Switzerland, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Zurich Family Spring Festival Gala 2025 brought the vibrant traditions of the Chinese Lunar New Year to Switzerland on Sunday. Over 200 guests from China and Switzerland gathered to celebrate this UNESCO-recognized cultural treasure.

This year marks the first Chinese Lunar New Year since UNESCO inscribed "Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year" on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Zurich celebration was co-hosted by the Chinese Traditional Culture Association of Zurich (Zurich CTCA) and several other organizations.

Zurich CTCA President Lu Jinlian told the press that celebrating the holiday with Swiss families has become an annual cultural highlight in the city.

To start the event, organizers introduced the Swiss public to the Spring Festival via videos in Chinese and English, featuring captivating visuals and insights into the customs and cultural significance of the holiday. These presentations offered a glimpse into Chinese traditions, setting the stage for the celebration.

The venue exuded festive cheer, adorned with red lanterns, vibrant couplets, and intricate paper-cut decorations. Many attendees were dressed in traditional Chinese attire, participating in cultural activities, and indulging in authentic Chinese cuisine.

Corina, a local attendee, told Xinhua that attending the gala was an exciting introduction to the Chinese New Year traditions. Enthralled by performances like Dunhuang dance and martial arts, she participated in an interactive session. "This is the first time I have such a close look at Chinese martial arts. Before, I had only seen them in movies and TV shows," she said.

Corinna and other attendees enjoyed a variety of cultural highlights, including the melodic sounds of the konghou, children reciting classical poetry, and a performance by local artists playing the alphorn, which added a Swiss touch to the festivities.

For Susanne, it was her first time attending a Chinese New Year celebration. She admitted she had not previously recognized the differences between the Chinese New Year and the Western New Year. "I feel so grateful and honored to take part in this event. It's an excellent opportunity to deepen my understanding of Chinese culture," she said.

Susanne particularly enjoyed authentic Chinese dishes. While she often eats Chinese food, the gala offered her the chance to savor more traditional flavors.

Unlike Corinna and Susanne, Darko has participated in Chinese New Year celebrations for four consecutive years. His frequent work trips to China have enhanced his appreciation for its culture. "I've loved China for a long time, and I'm still learning Chinese," he said.

Darko was most impressed by the warm, familial atmosphere of Chinese New Year celebrations, where people come together to rejoice. He emphasized the importance of foreign participation in such events, describing it as a reflection of cultural integration.

"The Spring Festival is not just a Chinese holiday, but also a part of world culture," he said. "By understanding each other's cultures, we not only enrich ourselves but also lay the foundation for peaceful coexistence."

The Zurich Family Spring Festival Gala 2025 highlighted how the traditions of the Chinese New Year resonate well beyond China, fostering cross-cultural connections and mutual appreciation in communities worldwide.

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