The Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan) has become a cherished tradition for millions of Chinese families and a way for overseas Chinese to connect with their homeland. On January 28, Chinese New Year’s Eve, people across various regions gathered to watch the gala program together.
Spring Festival Gala Premieres in Overseas Cinemas
This year, for the first time, Chunwan was broadcast live in cinemas abroad. At a special screening held at the Dubai Mall cinema, festive decorations and events celebrating the Chinese New Year attracted great attention. Traditional cultural performances, such as the dragon and lion dance and Sichuan opera face-changing, provided a vibrant spectacle for the audience.
Qi Xinyuan, a Chinese student in Dubai, expressed her emotions by saying, “Spending the New Year alone abroad can be difficult, but watching Chunwan here with my fellow Chinese made me feel truly warm and connected.”
A Chinese Cultural Extravaganza in Nairobi
In Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, the Chunwan program was broadcast in one of the city’s most popular shopping malls, drawing the interest of both Chinese residents and locals. Nairobi resident Hector shared his impressions, saying, “The performance was fantastic, very entertaining, and exciting.”
Ren Yuan, a Chinese entrepreneur in Kenya, emphasized the gala’s significance: “The Spring Festival Gala has become a shared cultural memory and a spiritual home for Chinese people worldwide. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to watch the live broadcast here.”
New Year Celebrations in Brazil and the Republic of Congo
Chinese communities in Brazil and the Republic of Congo also gathered to watch Chunwan and celebrate the New Year together. Professor Yang Minli, part of the China-Brazil Agricultural Mechanization Cooperation Project, shared her experience: ” This is my first time celebrating the New Year abroad. Watching Chunwan live and sharing this excitement with the local community has been an incredible experience.”
Brazilian viewer Edson Amir also expressed his admiration: “This is an incredibly captivating show. It’s my first time watching it, but I found it truly impressive.”
Meanwhile, Li Xingtao, an overseas worker involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighted the program’s importance: “Every year during the Spring Festival, we organize cultural and sports activities for our employees and watch Chunwan together to create a family-like atmosphere.”
As the Spring Festival Gala continues to be shared globally, it strengthens the cultural connection among overseas Chinese while also introducing Chinese traditions to a broader international audience.