2025 Spring Festival Gala: A Global Celebration of Culture and Humanity

The 2025 edition of the Spring Festival Gala, an annual celebration produced by China Media Group, kicked off on the eve of the Chinese New Year, symbolizing the return of a cherished family tradition. This gala, known as Chunwan, is recognized as the preeminent entertainment event for families throughout China since its inception in 1983, and this year marked its first presentation since UNESCO designated the Spring Festival as a piece of the world's intangible cultural heritage.

Traditionally viewed as a significant cultural event, this year's gala set new benchmarks in showcasing not just artistic talents but also the warmth and richness of human experience. The program was diverse, featuring a mix of performances from music, comedy, and traditional arts such as opera and martial arts to spectacular showcases like magic and acrobatics. Notably, for the fourth consecutive year, the gala was broadcast in a vertical format that catered to mobile viewers, achieving outstanding viewership figures of 130 million, 190 million, and 420 million in the last three years respectively.

A Genuine Gathering

This year's gala distinguished itself by emphasizing the lives and contributions of everyday people, embodying the spirit of a 'people's Spring Festival Gala'. It featured a variety of individuals, including grassroots police officers, railway staff, and cultural heritage inheritors, who shared their personal stories and showcased their contributions alongside well-known internet personalities.

Making strides in inclusivity, the gala introduced barrier-free broadcast technology for visually and hearing-impaired audiences. The event utilized augmented reality (AR) and AI voice recognition technology to enhance viewer experiences, adding sign language interpreters and audio descriptions that allowed everyone to participate in the festivities. This endeavor further bolstered the gala's role as a truly inclusive celebration.

Bridging Cultures Through Celebration

As the first gala post-UNESCO recognition, the 2025 presentation placed a significant focus on showcasing China's intangible cultural heritage. The opening visual display, titled