Echoes of the East reach Europe's spring celebration

Europe has never disappointed those seeking authentic Chinese cultural experiences during the Spring Festival.

The resounding beat of thunderous drums and battle-cry-like shouts will echo over the weekend through Burlington Arcade, one of London's oldest and most elegant shopping arcades, as a group of dancers perform the Ansai waist drum.

The dance is a national intangible cultural heritage of China that originated in Ansai, a district of Yan'an city in northwestern Shaanxi province.

Large drums are tied around the dancers' waists and beaten with sweeping arm movements as performers leap, stamp and spin in perfect unison. Their bright red-and-white costumes, with long ribbons attached to batons flying through the air, turn each movement into a burst of festive motion.

Born on the Loess Plateau more than 2,000 years ago, the dance reflects the resilience and bold character of local communities. It also conveys strength, unity and optimism, embodying a collective spirit that resonates far beyond borders.

As the Ansai waist drum brings the cultural soul of northern China to the British capital, an opera troupe from China's Zhejiang Wu Opera Art Research Institute will present the refined aesthetics of Wu Opera, a traditional art form from the country's eastern Zhejiang province.

Featuring intricate costumes, expressive makeup and powerful storytelling, the performance will captivate audiences at Camden Market on Feb 21 as part of the celebrations for the Year of the Horse.

The two art troupes will wow London once again a day later, performing at a Chinese New Year celebration in Trafalgar Square at the invitation of the London Chinatown Chinese Association. The celebration in the prestigious square is said to be the largest of its kind outside Asia, with more than 700,000 people expected to attend.

In France, as a countdown to the Chinese New Year, the Chinese embassy in France, in cooperation with the Hauts-de-France region, hosted a Spring Festival reception the week before New Year's day, bringing a breath of spring to the Living Museum of the Horse at the Chateau de Chantilly, a historic French manor house.

Renowned for its architectural heritage and equestrian history, the venue provided a fitting setting to welcome the Year of the Horse and strengthen cultural exchanges between China and France.

In Belgium, a series of festive events hosted by the Chinese embassy is showcasing the diversity and vitality of Chinese traditions, drawing audiences from across the country.

A zodiac art exhibition opened at the Chinese Cultural Center in Brussels in the days leading up to the Spring Festival, showcasing artistic interpretations of the horse in Chinese culture, a symbol of vitality, perseverance and progress.

Another celebration closely followed at Bozar, Brussels' iconic fine arts center, with the "Spring of Chinese Music" concert, where Chinese and international musicians presented a program blending classical and contemporary works.

Further south, in the historic riverside city of Dinant, a full-day temple fair two days before the New Year brought residents and visitors together to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, with traditional performances, food stalls and interactive workshops.

Moscow is once again dazzling residents and visitors as it hosts a grand Chinese New Year celebration for the third time from Feb 16 to March 1. The event is organized by the city government, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Chinese embassy in Russia.

Central areas of the city have been transformed into vibrant festive zones, featuring traditional Chinese music and dance performances, workshops, tea ceremonies and cooking classes, delighting millions of participants — including Chinese visitors who travel to the capital during their Spring Festival holiday.

From Dec 1, Russia began implementing a visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals traveling for tourism or business for stays of up to 30 days. Introduced on the principle of reciprocity, the policy has made travel easier than ever and further strengthened China-Russia friendship.