The 2023 UK "Happy Chinese New Year" events are officially launched at the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in London on January 17, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Chinese Embassy in London

The 2023 UK "Happy Chinese New Year" (HCNY) events were officially launched at the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in London on Tuesday.

Jointly presented by the Cultural Section and the China National Tourist Office, London, the 2023 HCNY events feature over 100 programs in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, London and Manchester.

Yang Xiaoguang, chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy, shared his remarks through a video. "'Happy Chinese New Year' is a celebration of inheriting traditional Chinese culture and a grand gathering of exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations."

Yang explained the celebration is based on the "4H" concept, namely Hope, Home, Harmony, and Health. "I believe the HCNY events will present opportunities for China and the UK to enhance exchanges, expand cooperation, and promote new progress in bilateral relations," said Yang.

Li Liyan, minister counsellor of the Cultural Section, expressed thanks to all the governments and partner institutions for their generous support to the 2023 UK HCNY events, which he thinks will not only deepen British people's understanding of Chinese culture, art and tourism, but also promote and enrich China-UK relations at this crucial time.

According to Bi Haibo, spokesperson and minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, world-renowned pianist Lang Lang is the cultural ambassador for the 2023 Global HCNY events.

Karen Garvey, engagement officer of events at Bristol City Council, told the Global Times, Chinese Lunar New Year has become the biggest event in Bristol's cultural calendar. "It brings thousands of people from different backgrounds together to have a joyful time amid the cold weather. This is something people really look forward to," Garvey said, adding that Bristol has the biggest Chinese New Year celebration in Southwest England.

For nearly 20 years, it has attracted performers and visitors from Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Bath and Wales. This year, the mayor of Bristol and the high sheriff will also attend the celebration. "It's such a colorful, vibrant, positive event, and we couldn't imagine not having it," Garvey added.

Ruth Haines, press & PR manager at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, told the Global Times that on the first day of the Chinese New Year, the UK premier of Tan Dun's Buddha Passion will debut at the Royal Festival Hall. The award-winning composer of the soundtrack for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has also drawn acclaim for Buddha Passion, which combines the ancient music of Dunhuang, Chinese folk songs and Western symphonic music, bringing to life the theme of the Silk Road and the spirit of cultural exchange and mutual learning. It will take place on Chinese New Year's Day, which falls on January 22 this year.

"We are very happy to collaborate with Chinese singers, musicians and artists," Haines said, adding that it's very important to the Chinese community in London.

Events in London include the exciting Festival of Spring parade, colorful performances and tasting of a variety of Chinese delicacies, organized by the London Chinatown Chinese Association, along with activities and special programs organized by the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory of Greenwich.

The celebrations have not only thrived in big cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, but are also spreading to other regions in the UK. More can be learned about what is happening at the events page: https://www.subscribepage.com/cntospringfestival.