🎉✨ On February 12, Harbin, the host city of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, celebrated the grand finale of Chinese New Year with a vibrant Lantern Festival. This international cultural exchange event was a highlight of the festivities, bringing together athletes, delegation members, and media representatives from across Asia and beyond.
Co-hosted by CGTN and the Heilongjiang branch of China Media Group, the event featured a dazzling mix of traditional performances and interactive folk customs. Participants indulged in making and tasting tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings), symbolizing reunion, and solving lantern riddles, immersing themselves in the festival's rich traditions.
Visitors explored an exhibition showcasing China's intangible cultural heritage, including Chinese calligraphy, fish-skin painting, lacquerware, Guzheng and Guqin performances, and lantern-making techniques. These displays offered a deeper appreciation of China's artistic legacy. 🎨🖌️
The atmosphere was electrified by traditional dances like the powerful Long Drum Dance and the lively Northeast Yangko Dance. International guests eagerly joined in, learning to play drums and dance Yangko, adding to the excitement. A patrolling robot dog made a special appearance, blending traditional festivities with modern technology. 🤖🐾
Notable attendees included Ho Zhen Ting, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia; Zhou Jian, Director of Media and Broadcast for the Olympic Council of Asia; and Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Deputy to the National People’s Congress and head of the Hong Kong, China delegation to the Asian Winter Games. Delegations from nine countries and regions, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia, participated with over 40 representatives.
This year's Asian Winter Games set a new record, featuring more than 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions, making it the largest edition in history. For the first time, athletes from Saudi Arabia and Cambodia participated, with Saudi Arabia slated to host the next Winter Games. 🏅🌏
The event provided a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, fostering greater understanding and friendship across Asia. It was a true celebration of diversity and unity, showcasing the best of both traditional and modern aspects of Chinese culture.
