by Xinhua writer Shao Haijun
THE HAGUE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The rhythmic beat of drums, accompanied by lively dragon and lion dances, drew crowds to The Hague City Hall on Saturday as members of the Chinese community across the Netherlands gathered to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse.
Inside the spacious 4,500-square-meter atrium, red lanterns hung overhead and festive decorations shimmered, while cheerful New Year melodies filled the air.
Arianna Barone, attending the celebration for the first time, immersed herself at a booth dedicated to learning Chinese characters. She carefully practiced writing Chinese numerals stroke by stroke. Nearby, Dutch volunteer Miranda Grootjes explained that Chinese calligraphy emphasizes balanced horizontal and vertical lines and follows a strict stroke order, reflecting the sense of structure and discipline embedded in Chinese culture.
"The writing system is completely different from Western alphabets. It's fascinating," Barone said, adding that Chinese culture is unique and full of charm.
Across the hall, booths showcasing traditional Chinese culture - including paper-cutting, Chinese knot-tying, brush calligraphy and traditional food-making - were surrounded by eager participants. At the "Learn to Use Chopsticks" booth, a line quickly formed as both children and adults concentrated intently, cheering when they successfully picked up food with chopsticks.
As the tempo of the drums accelerated, the stage program of the "Happy Chinese New Year" tour, performed by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe, began and lifted the festive atmosphere to a climax. The once-bustling hall gradually quieted as attention turned to the stage.
Accompanied by the resounding gongs and drums, the "Nine-Section Dragon" twisted and soared to melodies rooted in southern Chinese opera traditions. Scenes from Blocking the Horse featured flashing spears and acrobatic combat, while Heavenly Maid Scattering Flowers captivated the audience with flowing silk ribbons resembling drifting clouds. Lyu Bu Tests His Horse demonstrated athletic jumps and precise footwork, and the lightning-fast face-changing performance drew bursts of applause and astonished cheers.
Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Shen Bo noted that in Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes perseverance and resilience, representing progress and achievement. He welcomed more Dutch visitors to experience China's vitality firsthand, expressing hope that deeper mutual understanding would usher in a flourishing spring for bilateral friendship.
Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen described the celebration as "a festival of connection," saying it offered people an opportunity to reunite and celebrate together, fostering emotional closeness across cultural backgrounds.
Marc Moquette, a representative from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the Netherlands would continue close communication and cooperation with China to address global challenges. ■
