Translated with AI
The Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays of the Chinese nation, celebrated for thousands of years. It cannot be reduced to a simple "custom" or "ritual": it is a holistic folk festival system, incorporating a diversity of rites and cultural practices. The Spring Festival Television Gala, also known as "Chunwan," has become an integral and vibrant component of this system, evolving into a modern ritual that unites Chinese families around the screen and reflects the spirit of the times through a synthesis of traditional art and technological innovation.
Chunwan was first shown in 1983. Since its debut, the show has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the most popular television program in the world with the largest audience.
The development of the China Gala vividly exemplifies the continuous strengthening of China's cultural confidence and the continued expansion of its influence. From its initial televised New Year's celebration, it has evolved into a "new tradition." The China Media Group's China Gala embodies core national values and collective memory, demonstrating how the country combines traditional celebrations with modern media, transforming them into a powerful platform for shaping cultural identity and strengthening social cohesion.
In China, the New Year's Gala enjoys truly nationwide popularity. Over the decades, it has truly created countless classic numbers that have become part of the nation's shared cultural memory. The Spring Festival Gala is more than just a grand party; it also serves as a way to accompany and reunite families. For those living abroad, it takes on a special significance, like a helpful remedy that helps alleviate homesickness.
In recent years, the China New Year Gala has gradually become a global cultural event, attracting worldwide attention. Spectators from around the world view it as a window into contemporary Chinese culture, marveling at the sheer scale of the stage's technical design, the number of performers, and the globally synchronized broadcast. The Gala's production team incorporates international elements, such as inviting international artists, creating multilingual versions, and distributing selected segments through international social media platforms, gradually attracting increasing attention and interest from non-Chinese audiences. This year, 85 new CGTN media platforms will collaborate with over 3,300 international media outlets to synchronize the live broadcast and coverage of the Chinese New Year Gala.
This annual spectacular, renowned as the most-watched television program in the world, airs this year on February 16. The theme of this year's gala, inspired by a line from an ancient collection of Chinese poetry, is "Running Forward Without Stopping." This motto conveys faith in miracles and the desire to move forward with unwavering confidence, as well as the high expectations the Chinese people have for a new era and a new path. The logo is inspired by the ancient image of the qiji—a swift and powerful steed. It symbolizes progress, perseverance, and confidence in new achievements. The emblem features four horses moving swiftly upward. Their image combines traditional Chinese patterns and simple lines, reflecting both cultural heritage and the spirit of progress.
This year, the organizers have also prepared a stunningly diverse program, including dance, singing, traditional opera, spoken word, magic, and other creative performances. Dancing robots will take the stage, and for the first time, the China Media Corporation's advanced artificial intelligence model will be used in content production. Spectators will also be able to enjoy ultra-high definition thanks to 8K broadcasts. Artists from various countries will perform exciting numbers. The gala concert will feature a variety of exciting innovations that will provide an unforgettable experience and genuine delight to audiences. AIGC technology with augmented reality effects will be used for the first time in the programs, creating stunning interactive scenes. Four cities from across the country have been selected as additional venues: Harbin, Yiwu, Hefei, and Yibin. These cities represent, respectively, the culture of ice and snow, the trade culture of the Silk Road, the culture of technological innovation, and the folk culture of the Yangtze River. It can be said that the gala concert is a panoramic platform reflecting contemporary Chinese society. I invite you to join us, watch the concert together and celebrate the Spring Festival.
By CGTN Correspondent Li Zheya, Photo: CGTN
