Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year's Day, is the grandest traditional festival of the Chinese nation. It begins with the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, passes through the Little New Year (Xiaonian in Chinese) on the 23rd or 24th day of the 12th lunar month, reaches its "family reunion" climax on New Year's Eve, and concludes with the dimming lights of the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the New Year.
A woman takes photos of papercutting creations at the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum in Beijing, Jan. 4, 2025
A series of customs unfold like a magnificent performance, symbolizing harmony between humanity and nature and the coexistence of all living things. These traditions foster a social atmosphere of friendship, respect, warmth and harmony, while inspiring a spirit of progress and excellence.
During the Spring Festival, the ideals of benevolence, people-oriented values, integrity, justice and harmony are deeply engraved into the transition between old and new and preserved through the passage of time.
On December 4, 2024, Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional New Year, was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The inclusion of this ancient heritage will actively promote dialogue and mutual respect among cultures, contributing more Chinese elements to the diversity of world cultures. This milestone is a proud moment for showcasing China's spirit, values, and cultural strength to the world.
As an essential element of intangible cultural heritage, the Spring Festival not only reflects people's lifestyles, values, and social bonds but also serves as a cultural practice with universal participation. It plays a vital role in nurturing a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation.
To celebrate the successful application for World Heritage status and to highlight the rich cultural significance of the Spring Festival, the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum hosts an exhibition displaying Spring Festival traditions, titled Guo Nian (Celebrating New Year), from December 21, 2024, to March 2, 2025.
This exhibition features over 150 intangible cultural heritage projects from across various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and the regions of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. It includes over 500 exhibits displayed through various formats, such as text, images, artifacts, real-life scenes and multimedia interactions.
Together, these elements artistically recreate Spring Festival–related cultural heritage, offering visitors an immersive experience that conveys a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China.
Spanning an area of over 2,600 square meters, the exhibition consists of four major units, in addition to the introductory and concluding halls. The prologue explores the origins and historical development of the Spring Festival.
The first unit, "One Year's Work Depends on a Good Start in Spring," focuses on traditional Chinese solar terms such as the Winter Solstice and the Beginning of Spring, as well as related activities preparing for the New Year.
The second unit, "Family Reunion and Family Affection," portrays the warmth of family gatherings during the festival.
The third unit, "Happy New Year Songs and Household Lights," recreates the vibrant scenes of temple fairs and lantern festivals, immersing the audience in the joyful atmosphere.
The fourth unit, "Celebrating the Chinese Dream Across the World," showcases the shared celebration of the Spring Festival by people of all ethnic groups and global Chinese communities, emphasizing unity and harmony.
The concluding hall provides a detailed introduction to the Spring Festival's World Heritage application.
The exhibition not only elaborates on the historical roots of the Spring Festival but also displays the diverse customs of different regions and ethnicities, as well as the wisdom and life philosophies embedded in these traditions.