The Year of the Snake ushers in a grand celebration of unity and cultural richness with the Melody of Spring 2025 Transnational Spring Festival Gala, An exciting global celebration organised in collaboration with the Nanning Municipal Government Information Office, Nanning Foreign Affairs Office, and the Nanning International Communication Center. Held in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, this gala brings together diverse cultures in joyous harmony, offering a truly unique experience for audiences around the world.
A Celebration of New Beginnings and Unity
The gala, themed “Crossing Mountains and Seas to Celebrate the New Year, Reuniting in Harmony and Joy,” highlights the festive spirit of Chinese New Year while embracing the global community’s shared connections. The event is structured into four captivating chapters – Spring, Warmth, Flower, and Bloom – that represent the themes of new beginnings, the warmth of home, the romance of love, and openness, respectively. Each chapter creatively explores the beauty of human connections, both on a personal and cultural level, while reflecting the essence of the holiday season.
Traditional and Modern Fusions
The Melody of Spring Gala showcases the timeless beauty of traditional Chinese culture through performances like Ode to Landscape, where dancers’ graceful movements embody the natural beauty of Guangxi. The Dance of the Golden Snake and Cloud Palace Melody bridge the gap between traditional Chinese music and modern symphonic and electronic sounds, showcasing the harmonious beauty that arises from fusing different cultural influences. Meanwhile, the New Year Painting performance transforms static paper into a dynamic visual experience, bringing traditional art to life in an innovative way. The theatrical performance The Most Beautiful New Year Flavor tenderly conveys the essence of Chinese New Year through a vibrant blend of song, dance, and drama, symbolising the harmony and joy of the international family.
ASEAN Participation Adds Excitement
The gala’s international flair was brought to life by performers from ASEAN countries, with each bringing their own unique energy and traditions to the stage. The Thai boy band PERSES ignited the atmosphere with their energetic performance of BODYGUARD, unleashing a wave of youthful energy through upbeat rhythms and vibrant dance moves. The Hearts Connected Across Mountains and Seas song medley brought together iconic songs from Southeast Asia, weaving together various musical traditions and captivating the audience with exotic melodies. The Love of Landscape Sino-Vietnamese duet beautifully reflects the deep cultural and historical bond between China and Vietnam, symbolised by their shared mountains and rivers. It highlights Nanning’s role as a bridge for international cooperation and cultural exchange within ASEAN.
Expanding Reach and Showcasing Local Charm
This year, the event expanded its international reach with satellite segments filmed in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Laos, each showcasing the local customs and festive celebrations of these countries. The Melody of Spring Gala not only brings the joy of Chinese New Year to life but also celebrates the rich cultural diversity across Asia. The gala offers a spectacular fusion of traditions and festive spirit, allowing audiences to experience the joyous cultural atmosphere shared by many.
Premiere and Global Broadcast
The Melody of Spring 2025 Transnational Spring Festival Gala premiered on January 27, 2025, at 20:30 on Nanning Radio and Television Station’s News Comprehensive Channel. Subtitles were available in English, Lao, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai, with the event being broadcast across approximately 48 media platforms in 16 countries and regions, including Lao National Television, Myanmar National Television, Philippine National Television, Cambodia National Television, and Hanoi Television in Vietnam.
Attendees and Distinguished Guests
The gala attracted high-level attendees, including officials from central news media based in Guangxi, major regional media outlets, representatives from several universities, and relevant departments in Nanning. Diplomats from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia also attended, further solidifying the event’s significance as a cultural bridge between nations.