PARIS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- As night fell under a light drizzle in the Hauts-de-France region on Wednesday, the estate of the Chateau de Chantilly took on a festive glow. Projections of galloping horses and the words "Happy New Year 2026" illuminated the facade of the castle's Great Stables, where a gala celebrating the Chinese Year of the Horse was in full swing.
Co-hosted by the Hauts-de-France regional authorities and the Chinese Embassy in France, the event was distinct from many other Chinese New Year activities. At the Great Stables, the highlight was a distinctly local art form: traditional French equestrian performance.
Built in the 18th century as part of the Chateau de Chantilly, the Great Stables were originally designed for horses used for riding and hunting. Today, the site is open to the public and is home to the Living Museum of the Horse. It also hosts an equestrian performance troupe renowned internationally.
Unlike conventional theater settings, Wednesday's show unfolded beneath the stables' soaring domed ceiling, on a circular arena of sand, where the sounds of hooves, breathing and movement blended naturally with the music.
After a series of warm-up acts, the equestrian troupe entered in ceremonial attire, leading and riding their horses with measured grace. The riders guided their mounts through precise steps, bursts of speed and elegant leaps. At times, the horses even moved in rhythm with their partners in what appeared to be a refined waltz, drawing applause and cheers from more than 600 spectators seated around the arena.
Sophie Bienaime, equestrian and artistic director of the Great Stables, greeted the audience with Chinese New Year wishes. She said this was the troupe's first time welcoming the traditional Chinese festival as performers, adding that she was delighted to explore Chinese culture within a historic French setting.
Equitation in the French tradition and the Spring Festival were inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011 and 2024, respectively.
Bienaime welcomed the convergence of the two major cultural heritages at Chantilly. Equestrian art values lightness, balance and harmony between humans and horses, she added, and expressed hope that the strength and courage symbolized by the horse would bring good fortune to the Chinese friends in the new year.
The gala also featured a range of Chinese performances, including martial arts and the Yingge folk dance from south China's Guangdong Province, adding rhythmic energy and color to the evening.
A French spectator, who gave his name as Guillaume, said he was particularly struck by the Yingge dance, describing it as "dreamlike". He added that the fusion of Chinese and French elements on stage, together with the family-centered values expressed during the Spring Festival, made the two countries "feel much closer despite the geographical distance."
In his address, Chinese Ambassador to France Deng Li said that the Great Stables provided an ideal setting to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse, as horses hold special significance in both Chinese and French cultures. "May the Year of the Horse bring us dynamism and wisdom, strengthening our traditional friendship and cooperation oriented toward the future," he said.
Hauts-de-France regional President Xavier Bertrand said that celebrating the Chinese New Year also meant recognizing an ancient civilization that enriches French culture. "Exchanges and dialogue between peoples and between cultures are a source of strength and wealth," he said. ■