The Spring Festival, China's most important traditional holiday, is celebrated worldwide. During the 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival celebrations, Confucius Institutes affiliated with Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) organized a variety of vibrant cultural events across the globe. The following highlights showcase how these institutes celebrated the Chinese New Year in different countries.
Bonn, Germany – On the evening of January 29, local time, the Confucius Institute in Bonn held its 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala at the Forum der Brotfabrik. Representatives from the Confucius Institute, the University of Bonn, the Chinese Consulate-General in Düsseldorf, and the city of Bonn attended and delivered remarks, speaking highly of the institute’s work and cultural initiatives. The event featured a performance by the Wuhan University Student Art Troupe, showcasing the richness of Chinese culture and the vitality of young artists.
The festive atmosphere continued as the Confucius Institute in Bonn participated in another cultural event. On February 16, coinciding with the Lunar New Year celebrations and Germany’s Rose Monday Carnival, the institute collaborated with the Bonn Carnival Association for Sino-German Cultural Exchange to present a “Chinese Float” in the parade. Dressed in traditional Chinese attire, teachers interacted with spectators along the route, creating a lively atmosphere that blended Chinese and German cultural elements. These activities brought the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year to the local community and provided a platform for cultural exchange.
Havana, Cuba – On February 14, local time, the Confucius Institute at the University of Havana held a Spring Festival celebration in its library. Though modest in scale, the event brought together faculty, students, and members of the local Chinese community, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. In her opening remarks, Director Eisy extended Spring Festival greetings and best wishes. The program featured a variety of performances, including traditional Dai and Xinjiang dances, as well as presentations by the institute’s dance troupe, all of which were warmly received by the audience. Cultural booths themed around the Chinese character “Fu” (good fortune) were also set up, where teachers demonstrated calligraphy and participants engaged in traditional rubbing activities, taking home symbols of luck and New Year blessings.
Ismailia, Egypt – The Confucius Institute at Suez Canal University, in partnership with Horus University, jointly hosted a cultural event titled “Spring Festival Celebration: The Charm of China” on February 15. Faculty and students from both institutions presented performances including traditional songs, dances, and Tai Chi fan routines. Interactive activities such as paper-cutting, pitch-pot (Touhu), and calligraphy attracted many local participants. The event concluded with a dragon and lion dance, bringing the celebration to a festive climax.
Milan, Italy – On February 27 local time, a Confucius Classroom affiliated with the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart held a Spring Festival gala celebrating the Year of the Horse. The event opened with the song “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (“Wishing You Prosperity”), performed by teachers and fifth-grade students. First-grade students recited classic Chinese poetry, while second-grade students staged a short play based on the traditional story “The Old Man Who Lost His Horse.” Third-grade students performed the theme song from Mulan and demonstrated Peking Opera facial makeup, and fourth-grade students presented song-and-dance performances inspired by “Chinese Painting” and “Blue and White Porcelain.” The gala featured a diverse range of performances, showcasing both traditional Chinese culture and achievements in Chinese language learning.
Sibiu, Romania – From February to March, the Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu organized a series of Spring Festival cultural activities in Sibiu and Deva, offering Romanian students an immersive experience in traditional Chinese culture. In Sibiu, the institute visited a local school to host a Hanfu painting workshop. After learning about traditional Chinese clothing, students used brushes to express their understanding of Chinese aesthetics. At its headquarters, the institute organized a tangyuan-making activity for the Lantern Festival, where participants learned about the cultural significance of family reunion through hands-on experience. In Deva, activities included an introduction to the Year of the Dragon, bookmark making, lantern crafting, and movable-type printing. Through these experiences, students gained a deeper appreciation of Chinese traditions.
In Romania, the Confucius Classroom at Ovidius University of Constanța also held a series of cultural events to celebrate the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival. Teachers introduced related customs and cultural meanings through presentations and visual materials. During the interactive sessions, students participated in activities such as Chinese calligraphy, paper-cutting, printmaking, lantern making, and traditional games. Chinese snacks and souvenirs were also provided, further enhancing the festive atmosphere and cultural experience.
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand – On February 18, local time, the Confucius Institute at Mahidol University, in collaboration with Silpakorn University, held a Spring Festival cultural exchange event. The campus was adorned with lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere. Participants took part in activities such as paper-cutting, calligraphy to write the Chinese character “Fu,” Chinese knot making, and the traditional pitch-pot game. A demonstration of Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese fitness exercise, was also presented. Teachers and students sampled traditional Chinese festive foods and exchanged gifts.
Sheffield, United Kingdom – During the Spring Festival period, the Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield organized nearly 20 themed events centered on the “Year of the Horse,” spanning campuses, communities, and commercial areas. Activities included calligraphy, lantern making, traditional costume experiences, and Chinese folk music performances, incorporating elements of community engagement and charity. The events attracted approximately 5,000 participants.
Istanbul, Türkiye – On February 28 local time, on the eve of the Lantern Festival, the Chinese Consulate-General in Istanbul hosted a Lantern Festival gala celebrating the Year of the Horse. Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at Istanbul Okan University attended the event alongside consulate officials, members of the Chinese community, and representatives of Chinese enterprises, with more than 150 participants in total. Students presented performances demonstrating their learning achievements, including vocal and instrumental pieces, showcasing their understanding of Chinese culture.
On March 3 local time, the Confucius Institute at Istanbul Okan University hosted its 2026 Spring Festival Gala, bringing together nearly 400 participants from various sectors in China and Türkiye. The Chinese and foreign directors delivered bilingual speeches, expressing hopes for strengthened bilateral friendship. The event featured a variety of performances, including recitations, music, dance, and traditional cultural demonstrations. A themed exhibition titled “Chinese Festival · Global Year: Invitation from the Year of the Horse” was also held. Marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Türkiye, the event further promoted cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries.
（Editors: Zhou Bocheng, Wu Sihan, Li Yujia,Tang Xinyue, Han Zhiyi, and Shi Lanqin）
