Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow/Beijing, February 23 (Xinhua) — The 2026 Lunar New Year (Spring Festival, or Chunjie) took on special meaning thanks to the deep cultural interaction between China and Russia. Moscow and Beijing celebrated two vibrant national holidays almost simultaneously: Moscow is hosting its third Chinese New Year festival, while Beijing hosted its first Moscow Maslenitsa.
At the junction of the conclusion of the China-Russia Cross-Culture Years and the start of the Education Years, such cultural exchanges made a significant contribution to strengthening the popular foundation of the centuries-old friendship between the two countries.
MOSCOW: THE ATMOSPHERE OF CHINESE NEW YEAR FILLS THE CITY WITH ITS COLOR
On February 16, on the eve of the Spring Festival, central Moscow was lit up with a festive "Chinese red." Amid snow and wind, the "Chinese New Year in Moscow" festival opened on Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin walls. The festival, organized for the third time by the Moscow government with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Russia, featured a red dragon soaring skyward, tightly entwined with a Russian spruce—a symbol of Russian winter traditions. The tree was decorated with red lanterns and the Chinese character for "fu" (happiness). This unique image, born of the fusion of the cultural symbols of the two countries, attracted many city residents who came to admire it amidst the snowfall.
On stage, dancers performed the Yingge folk dance from Puning, Guangdong Province. Their energetic and agile movements captivated Muscovite Ekaterina: "This is my first time participating in such an event in Moscow. Yingge dance, wushu, acrobatics… Each performance is very engaging, allowing you to experience the rich atmosphere of Chinese New Year."
At the festival's opening ceremony, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that the "Chinese New Year in Moscow" festival is becoming increasingly popular among Moscow residents and visitors each year.
Statistics show that in 2026, 41 percent of Russians surveyed expressed their intention to participate in Chinese New Year celebrations, and the number of Russians reading and viewing New Year-themed materials increased by 35 percent compared to last year.
This year, the event's scale was unprecedented: over 60 iconic sites across Moscow were festively decorated, and for the first time, delegations from seven regions of China, including Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and Guangdong, were invited for cultural exchange.
On February 17, the first day of the Spring Festival, a bright red train, decorated with red and gold Chinese patterns—lanterns, ribbons, and clouds—began operating on the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line of the Moscow Metro. The train's walls are decorated with poems about the holiday in Chinese, dating back to the 600s CE, along with Russian translations, along with photographs of Chinese New Year celebrations in Moscow from previous years. You have two weeks to ride the train—it will run on the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line until March 28. It's no exaggeration to say that this themed train has become a "moving cultural exhibition hall."
On February 17, the exhibition "Spring Festival. New Year in Old Beijing" opened at a Moscow museum. Immersed in the traditions of this large-scale celebration, visitors will discover various facets of Chinese cultural life—from religious beliefs and culinary traditions to family values and aesthetics. Visitor Alexandra was delighted by the exhibition: "These old New Year's folk prints (nianhua—Xinhua note) and shadow puppet shows (shadow puppet shows—Xinhua note) are very interesting; they sparked my interest in Chinese culture."
Along with the "Chinese New Year in Moscow" festival, the "Spring Festival 2026" New Year's Fair was held at the Huaming Park Chinese Business Center from February 16 to 19. The venue featured areas for exploring China's intangible cultural heritage, presenting tourist routes, sampling Chinese cuisine, and offering networking opportunities. The fair also included music concerts, film screenings, and other events.
BEIJING: MASLENITSA BRINGS SPRING GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA
While the "Chinese red" color illuminated the winter Moscow night, the vibrant atmosphere of Russian culture simultaneously burst into Beijing. From February 19 to 22, the "Moscow Maslenitsa in Beijing" festival was held in Chaoyang Park.
As part of the important cultural exchange between the two capitals, it was held in China for the first time during the Chinese New Year holidays. The festival filled the park with vibrant melodies and vibrant festive decorations, captivating passersby. Russian performers enthusiastically interacted with visitors, including both locals and tourists.
On stage, performers in colorful Russian costumes performed lively dances and cheerful songs. Lines of people formed around thematic art objects, such as a giant samovar, to take photos, and at the pavilion displaying Moscow treats, people stood in long lines to try traditional Russian pancakes. In bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring, the Chinese and Russians found spiritual affinity and warmth.
"This is a completely new experience for me celebrating the New Year. It's a very interesting opportunity to experience the flavor of Russian culture," tourist Zhang Yijia shared.
"Russian-Chinese relations are at the highest level today, but their strength is determined not only by interstate relations; they are built on human contacts and mutual understanding," said Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov at the opening ceremony. The diplomat added that this holiday should become another symbol of friendship between Russia and China.
"Culture is a rainbow that connects hearts, and tourism is a bridge that strengthens friendship," noted Guo Huigang, Director of the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism. He stated that holding Moscow Maslenitsa in Beijing allows city residents to become more familiar with the charm of Russian culture and folk customs, which not only enriches the capital's tourism offerings during the Spring Festival but also promotes deeper exchanges and cooperation between the two cities. During the event, the Moscow City Tourism Committee and the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in tourism to promote the continuous improvement of the quality and level of tourism cooperation between the two capitals.
SPIRITUAL PROXIMITY OF PEOPLES: FROM CULTURAL RESONANCE TO COMMON VALUES
Behind this cultural fusion lies a deeper process—the spiritual rapprochement of peoples. At the opening ceremony of the 2026 Spring Festival New Year's Fair in Huaming Park, China's Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, stated that the purpose of the events is to convey New Year's greetings to the peoples of the two countries and promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. In a recent interview, he also emphasized that humanitarian cooperation acts as an invisible yet strong thread, extending the Sino-Russian friendship from the governmental level to the broader society, expanding it from mutual political trust to a spiritual affinity between peoples.
This resonance is especially evident in folk traditions. 2026 is the Year of the Horse. In Russian culture, the horse also symbolizes loyalty and strength. Oksana Malykh, Head of the Chinese Language Department at the Institute of Foreign Languages at Moscow State Pedagogical University, says: "For many Russians, the horse symbolizes strength, wisdom, and hard work. The Year of the Horse is the year of my birth according to the Chinese calendar. I hope it will bring me happiness and good fortune."
Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov recently stated that thematic cross-years focused on humanitarian cooperation help strengthen the social foundation of bilateral relations. The "Years of Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Education" will be held in 2026-2027. Russia is prepared to fully utilize this format of cooperation to develop public diplomacy, fostering deeper mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng also noted in his opinion piece that holding the Years of Chinese-Russian Educational Cooperation is a practical measure to pass on friendship from generation to generation and strengthen humanitarian ties. Student exchanges between the two countries are accelerating, with the number exceeding 80,000, writing a new educational chapter in the history of the qualitative development of bilateral relations.
From the Chinese New Year festival in Moscow to the Moscow Maslenitsa festival in Beijing, from the strategic plans of officials to the "lived experiences" of ordinary citizens, cultural exchange between China and Russia in early 2026 has grown from a simple festive celebration into a profound dialogue between two great cultures.
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