The Heartwarming Celebration of Humanity and Cultural Heritage at the 2025 Spring Festival Gala

On January 29, 2025, the annual Spring Festival Gala kicked off as families around the world celebrated the Chinese New Year, heralding one of the most significant events in the Chinese calendar. This year’s gala, known as "Chunwan," marked its significance as the first since the Chinese Spring Festival was recognized by UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.

A Tradition Continues

Since 1983, the Spring Festival Gala has been a staple for Chinese families on New Year's Eve. This event has evolved over time, continuing to charm audiences with its vibrant blend of musical performances, comedy acts, and traditional arts, ranging from opera to martial arts, and even stunning displays of magic and acrobatics. Notably, this year features an innovative approach with mobile-optimized vertical screens for viewers, which gained immense popularity in previous years with viewership skyrocketing from 130 million to 420 million.

A Celebration for All

This year's gala emphasized the recognition of everyday heroes in society, portraying the essence of a “people's Spring Festival Gala.” Invited guests included ordinary police officers, railway workers, and internet personalities, each sharing their unique stories, further personalizing the gala experience.

New this year, the gala introduced an accessible broadcast option for viewers with visual and hearing impairments. Utilizing virtual augmented reality (AR) technology and AI voice recognition, the event aimed to create an inclusive atmosphere for all attendees. Sign language interpreters enhanced the experience with AR effects, while audio descriptions allowed everyone to engage fully with the performances.

Bridging Cultures Through Festivity

As the first gala post-UNESCO recognition, the 2025 iteration centered around showcasing China’s intangible cultural heritage. The visual opening segment titled “Welcoming Fortune” ingeniously combined cutting-edge technology, including AR and interactive displays, to highlight traditional New Year customs and cultural elements from across China.

Artistic performances showcased various traditional crafts from paper cutting to copper engraving. The “Iron Flowers,” a spectacular folk art showcase, captivated audiences with molten iron poured into the air, simulating fireworks. Another highlight was the song-and-dance performance “The Pillars and Beams,” which celebrated Beijing’s central axis, recently acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024.

Modern digital art enriched the viewing experience, allowing for a detailed exploration of ancient Chinese architectural structures, fostering a sense of connection to the rich tapestry of traditional culture.

This gala was not just a local event; it attracted a global audience. Young American Evan Kyle, who donated a WWII photo album, was among those recognized at the event. International musicians participated, including the American rock band OneRepublic, who performed their hit “Counting Stars.” The collaboration between Chinese and Peruvian artists on the song “Condor and Lanhuahua” showcased the cultural convergence beautifully.

Through CGTN's multilingual platforms, the gala reached viewers in over 200 countries and regions. With live broadcasts in Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian, the event served as a cultural bridge, fostering connections among diverse audiences.

Global Participation

The gala invigorated cultural exchanges with over 70 countries participating in the Snake Year Dance Fun Challenge launched by CGTN. On the eve of the Chinese New Year, CGTN also presented the Spring Festival Special “Super Night,” featuring a variety of engaging programs designed to promote cultural exchange around the world.

In its essence, the Spring Festival Gala not only commemorates the start of the Chinese New Year but also celebrates humanity and cultural heritage, uniting people under the shared joy of tradition and festivity.