Chinese students celebrate Year of the Horse in Berlin-Xinhua

Berlin played host to a vibrant pre-celebration of the Chinese New Year on Sunday night, as nearly a thousand people gathered at the Technical University of Berlin for the 2026 Berlin-Brandenburg Spring Festival Gala. The event, organised by and for Chinese students, offered a glimpse into the traditions surrounding the upcoming Year of the Horse, which officially begins on February 17th.

A Showcase of Cultural Performance

Martial Arts and Beyond

The gala featured a diverse programme of performances, with martial arts taking centre stage. A student at the Technical University of Berlin, Jonas Hoffmann, described the kung fu performances as “cool,” noting the precision and energy of the movements. Beyond martial arts, the audience enjoyed a Peking opera excerpt from Journey to the West, a guitar ensemble rendition of Carmen, and a performance by a children’s chorus.

Bridging Cultural Divides

Hoffmann, who had never attended a Chinese New Year celebration before, found the performances particularly impactful. He stated that the arts were “legible without much context,” and that music, dance, and martial arts effectively communicated values and aesthetics across language barriers. The event drew a strong response from the audience, with attendees recording performances and sharing excited reactions.

Did You Know? The Spring Festival Gala took place before the official start of the Chinese New Year, which begins on February 17th.

Significance for the Chinese Student Community

A Substitute for Home

For many Chinese students studying in Germany, the gala served as a crucial connection to their cultural heritage, particularly during a time when returning home for the New Year is difficult. A second-year graduate student, identified only as Zhang, expressed feeling “overwhelmed” and missing family, describing the gala as a substitute for traditional family rituals.

Fostering International Relations

Liu Lixin, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, attended the event and extended New Year’s greetings to the students. He praised their academic achievements and encouraged them to act as cultural ambassadors, strengthening the relationship between China and Germany through mutual understanding.

Expert Insight: Events like the Berlin-Brandenburg Spring Festival Gala demonstrate the power of cultural exchange in fostering understanding and connection between international communities, particularly for students navigating life away from their home countries. The gala provided a space for both celebration and emotional support.

Looking Ahead

The success of this year’s gala could lead to similar events in the future, potentially expanding the reach of Chinese cultural celebrations within the Berlin academic community. It is also possible that the event may grow in scale, attracting a wider audience and further strengthening ties between Chinese students and the broader German public. Continued support from the Chinese Embassy could also play a role in the event’s future development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of performances were featured at the gala?

The gala included kung fu routines, a Peking opera excerpt from Journey to the West, a guitar ensemble playing Carmen, and a children’s chorus performance.

How did attendees describe the event?

Jonas Hoffmann described the kung fu performances as “cool” and noted that the arts were “legible without much context.” A graduate student named Zhang said the gala served as a substitute for family rituals.

Who attended the event?

Nearly a thousand spectators attended, including Chinese students, Jonas Hoffmann from the Technical University of Berlin, and Liu Lixin, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany.

How do cultural events like this contribute to a sense of community for students studying abroad?