On February 12 (local time), China Cultural Center in Luxembourg grandly hosted a Lantern Festival celebration for the Year of the Snake, attracting numerous center students and Chinese culture enthusiasts to gather and celebrate this traditional Chinese festival. The event, themed "Savoring the Lantern Festival, Sharing a Cultural Feast," featured a diverse range of activities, including a garden fair, exhibitions, interactive experiences, traditional cuisine, lantern riddles, cultural relic displays, guzheng performances, Go matches, calligraphy, and more. Guests were treated to a spectacular celebration of Chinese culture.
"Auspicious Serpent Brings Blessings" – Grand Exhibition of Zodiac Relics Showcasing Millennia of Culture
In celebration of the Year of the Snake in the Chinese lunar calendar, the Cultural Center has specially introduced the "Auspicious Serpent Brings Blessings" Grand Exhibition of Zodiac Relics. This exhibition, jointly curated by China Cultural Relics News and multiple museums across China, features carefully selected images of precious artifacts and research materials related to the Year of the Snake, highlighting the multifaceted symbolic meanings of the serpent in Chinese history and culture. The exhibition is divided into several sections, including "Myths and Beliefs of the Serpent," "Artistic Representations of Snakes in Ancient Craftsmanship," and "Zodiac Culture and the Snake." Through these themes, the exhibition showcases the unique role of the serpent in Chinese art, religion, folklore, and daily life.
Fun Lantern Riddles: Sharing Traditional Wisdom
To showcase the traditional customs of the Lantern Festival, the event featured a special "Lantern Riddle Contest with Prizes" segment. Colorful lanterns were adorned with intriguing riddles covering topics such as Chinese characters, idioms, history and culture, and knowledge related to the Year of the Snake, attracting many guests to stop and take on the challenge. Participants who successfully solved the riddles received exquisite prizes, such as Snake Zodiac plush toys, allowing them to experience the wisdom and charm of traditional Chinese culture.
Immersive Interactive Experience: The Infinite Charm of Traditional Culture
This event featured several interactive experience areas, allowing guests to deeply immerse themselves in the essence of Chinese culture through hands-on activities.
Melodious Guzheng: Experiencing the Beauty of Eastern Music
In the "Guzheng Experience Zone," guzheng musicians performed classic pieces such as "General’s Command," "Galloping Horses," and "Fisherman’s Song at Dusk." The melodious tunes resonated throughout the Cultural Center, adding an elegant touch to the Lantern Festival celebrations. Meanwhile, guests had the opportunity to try basic finger techniques under the guidance of professional instructors, allowing them to personally experience the charm of the guzheng.
Go Matches: Experiencing the Wisdom of Chinese Culture
In the "Go Experience Zone," the Cultural Center provided Go boards and invited professional instructors to explain the basic rules, helping beginners quickly get started. Meanwhile, experienced players engaged in matches, fostering friendships through the game and appreciating the profound charm of this traditional intellectual sport. Many international guests stopped to observe, eager to test their skills and explore the deep philosophical wisdom embedded in the game of Go.
Calligraphy Salon: Experiencing the Beauty of Traditional Art
In the "Calligraphy Experience Zone," calligraphy instructors guided guests in writing auspicious characters such as "Fu" (blessing), "Chun" (spring), and other lucky phrases for the Year of the Snake. Guests could also create their own Spring Festival couplets to take home as symbols of good fortune. Additionally, the event featured a "Rubbing Experience Zone," where visitors used traditional techniques to transfer exquisite Chinese calligraphy or historical artifact patterns onto rice paper, allowing them to experience the enduring charm of ancient culture.
Making Dumplings, Enjoying Tangyuan, and Sharing Delicious Food: Embracing the Warmth of Reunion
The Lantern Festival is not only a cultural celebration but also a feast of traditional cuisine. A special "Food Experience Zone" was set up, inviting guests to participate in making dumplings and tangyuan, two classic festive delicacies. In the Dumpling-Making Zone, participants gathered around, learning to roll dough, mix fillings, and fold dumplings by hand. The lively and warm atmosphere made the experience even more enjoyable. Meanwhile, in the Tangyuan-Making Zone, guests eagerly kneaded glutinous rice dough and wrapped fillings, immersing themselves in the joy of making these sweet rice balls. Many children carefully shaped their tangyuan, creating a heartwarming and cheerful scene.
In addition to the hands-on experiences, a variety of traditional Chinese dishes were served, including steaming hot dumplings, soft and sweet tangyuan, and crispy spring rolls. Guests indulged in these festive treats, savoring the warmth and spirit of reunion that the Lantern Festival represents. Many international visitors praised the tangyuan for its delicious sweetness and auspicious meaning, expressing great interest in Chinese food culture.
Promoting China-Luxembourg Cultural Exchange and Preserving Chinese Traditions
This Lantern Festival Garden Party not only allowed the people of Luxembourg to experience the unique charm of Chinese festive culture up close but also further promoted cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Luxembourg. Many participants expressed that through this event, they not only appreciated the "Auspicious Serpent Brings Blessings" Zodiac Relics Exhibition but also enjoyed playing the guzheng, engaging in Go matches, and solving lantern riddles. These immersive experiences deepened their understanding of the cultural stories behind the Lantern Festival and enriched their appreciation of China's profound traditional heritage.
Looking ahead, China Cultural Center in Luxembourg will continue to host more events showcasing the richness of Chinese culture, serving as a bridge for China-Luxembourg cultural exchange. By doing so, it aims to introduce more people to the beauty of Chinese traditions and foster greater appreciation and love for Chinese culture, further strengthening the friendship between China and Luxembourg.
Photo by Zhang Min
