By Fang Jingyi
During the first Spring Festival since UNESCO inscribed it on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Drama Theatre embarked on an international cultural exchange tour from Jan 16 to Feb 4, 2025.
Spanning nearly 70,000 kilometers across four countries in Africa and Europe, the troupe performed 15 shows celebrating the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year, offering African and European audiences a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich heritage and captivating traditions of the Chinese New Year through vibrant cultural showcases.
The journey began in Africa’s Mauritius on Jan 15, where the troupe took part in local Spring Festival celebrations. Their performances, featuring traditional Chinese dance, opera, acrobatics, and magic, captivated over 1,500 local audience members, immersing them in the rich cultural essence of Chinese New Year.
Continuing their tour across Europe, the artists visited Sweden, Denmark, and Portugal. In Sweden and Denmark, they participated in events marking the 75th anniversaries of diplomatic relations between China and these nations. During the last performance in Kolding, Denmark, the audience spontaneously applauded for over 10 minutes, deeply moved by the artists’ exquisite and heartfelt performance.
The troupe’s final stop in Portugal included performances for the Happy Chinese New Year Gala Shows, as well as the 2025 Northern Portugal “Happy Chinese New Year” events.