LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The sixth annual Spring Festival gala organized by the Chinese community in Lausanne, Switzerland, brought festive cheer to the Aula de l'Elysee on Sunday, attracting over 300 guests for an afternoon of music, dance and traditional crafts.
The event, hosted by the Lausanne Chinese School with support from local student associations, featured a mix of cultural performances and hands-on activities to share Chinese New Year customs with the broader public.
"The Spring Festival is about reunion - not just among families, but also between cultures," said Luo Wenqing, Principal of Lausanne Chinese School. "Today we see Swiss friends and Chinese residents sharing this joy together, which gives the festival new meaning here in Lausanne."
Before the main performance, attendees participated in interactive sessions featuring traditional games and crafts, including calligraphy, paper-cutting, and arrow tossing. Many - some trying brush writing for the first time - created their own "Fu" characters and horse-themed couplets to express wishes for good luck and vitality in the new year.
On stage, the program opened with the energetic Chinese Mongolian Chopsticks Dance, followed by a showcase of a wide range of artistic talents. Young children sang and danced to "Rainbow Sunshine Little White Horse," while students from the Bern Martial Arts School demonstrated impressive kung fu techniques.
Cultural highlights included Dunhuang-inspired dance "Yuanxi" (Lantern Festival), presented by students in flowing costumes echoing ancient cave art, and a solo guzheng performance of "Dance of the Yi People."
Other shows included a duet titled "Legend of the White and Green Snakes," the collective rap "Hundred Family Surnames," and the piano piece "Colored Clouds Chasing the Moon," reflecting the diversity and depth of Chinese artistic traditions.
A lucky draw sponsored by local enterprises and an afternoon tea offered guests a chance to mingle freely and enjoy the festive spirit.
The gala has become an important event in Lausanne's cultural calendar, promoting exchange and community through shared values and traditions. ■
