February 12 marked the Lantern Festival, the grand finale of Chinese New Year celebrations. In Harbin, the host city of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, the festivities took on an international flavor as athletes, delegation members, and media representatives from across Asia gathered for a cultural exchange event.
Co-hosted by CGTN and the Heilongjiang branch of China Media Group, the event welcomed participants from various Asian countries and regions to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Attendees immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture, enjoying performances and engaging in interactive folk customs.
One of the highlights was making and tasting tangyuan, sweet rice dumplings symbolizing reunion and harmony. Guests also tried their hand at solving lantern riddles, a classic Lantern Festival activity that added a playful challenge to the evening.
The event featured an exhibition showcasing China’s intangible cultural heritage. Participants explored traditional arts such as Chinese calligraphy, fish-skin painting, lacquerware, and listened to captivating performances on the Guzheng and Guqin, traditional Chinese string instruments.
Dynamic dance performances energized the crowd, including the pulsating beats of the Long Drum Dance and the lively rhythms of the Northeast Yangko Dance. Many international guests joined in, learning the dance steps and drum patterns, highlighting the universal language of music and movement.
A modern twist was added to the festivities with the appearance of a patrolling robot dog, captivating attendees and blending tradition with innovation.
Notable figures in attendance 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, a 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 United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia, were among the over 40 representatives embracing the cultural festivities.
This year’s Asian Winter Games set a new record, with more than 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions participating, making it the largest edition in history. For the first time, athletes from Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, and other nations are joining the competition, with Saudi Arabia slated to host the next Winter Games.
The Lantern Festival event provided a unique platform for athletes, delegations, and media representatives to experience the richness of Chinese culture. It fostered cultural understanding and friendship across Asia, highlighting the unifying power of cultural exchange in the region.
