Recently, in December, I traveled from Beijing, where I live, to the charming city of Nanjing. 🌆 It's a place that fascinates me and where I have several friends, most of them artists: painters, singers, dancers, and journalists. On Christmas Eve, we went for a walk through the streets and had dinner at an international restaurant. 🌍 The streets were full of excited young people, enjoying, going to restaurants and bars, both Chinese and international, in a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
That night, I started to remember what it was like when I arrived in China decades ago, when I was in my twenties and was invited by a Chinese publisher to work with them. Back then, Christmas didn't occupy the minds of people. 🎄 However, they were very kind, made us feel understood, and didn't want us to feel lonely, kindly inviting us to have lunch or dinner, usually in their homes.
We, the foreigners, at that time knew even less about the Spring Festival and its significance than the Chinese knew about Christmas. Now, we only need to open a computer to obtain useful or necessary information! 💻
The Spring Festival is an annual event in China and also in Chinese communities around the world. It is China's oldest and most significant festival, marking the New Year on the Chinese calendar and representing people's desire for a new life, perhaps in new surroundings. 🏮 It is equivalent in importance to Christmas in our countries.
It takes place on different dates each year, but typically begins in late January or early February and lasts until mid-February. This year 2025, the dates for the Spring Festival are from January 28 to February 4. 📅 Those days will be characterized by cheerful and lively gatherings, as well as close family get-togethers.
The festival is considered to date back to the early Shang Dynasty, around 3,500 years ago, and honors the tradition of respecting ancestors and deities. Two aspects are particularly important: bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one, and family reunion. 👨👩👧👦
If you have the opportunity to be in China during this time, don't hesitate to immerse yourself in the festivities and experience this incredible cultural tradition firsthand. We assure you it will be an unforgettable adventure! ✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
