Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival (春节 chūnjié), is the most important traditional holiday in China. It is celebrated following the lunar calendar, so its date is different every year if we take into account the Gregorian calendar. For Chinese astrology there are 12 signs that are represented by 12 animals (十二生肖 shí'èr shēngxiào). Each lunar year corresponds to an animal (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig), which confers its characteristics to the personality of those born under its sign. The Spring Festival was born from the ancient agricultural rites and offerings made to the divinities of heaven and earth, to obtain good harvests and a favorable year. Nowadays it is a holiday that is celebrated with the family, with great meals, and celebrations inside and outside the home.
Chinese New Year in 2025: the Year of the Snake
In the Chinese horoscope, the snake is the sixth sign of the zodiac and represents wisdom, intuition and elegance. According to tradition, people born under this sign tend to be mysterious, charismatic and analytical. They are excellent strategists and enjoy activities that stimulate their intellect, although they can sometimes be reserved and distrustful. They get along well with the Ox and Rooster, with whom they share values of loyalty and pragmatism, but tend to clash with the Pig, due to differences in their approach to emotions.
For the Chinese, the snake symbolizes transformation and mental acuity, as well as being an emblem of power in some legends. The year of the snake officially begins with the Lunar New Year, the date of which varies from year to year, but generally falls between January 21 and February 20, and ends just before the next Lunar New Year.
The celebration in Barcelona
Since its first edition in the current format (2014), the Chinese New Year has become a cultural event of reference in Barcelona. The celebration has achieved a great citizen and media repercussion, not only in the national and regional media, but also in China.
Barcelona celebrates the Chinese New Year on January 25 with an extensive program of activities that will immerse attendees in the ancient Chinese culture. The main event will take place at Passeig Lluís Companys / Arc de Triomf, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, with various shows of traditional Chinese culture to welcome the Year of the Snake. In addition, there will be a gastronomic and cultural fair where visitors can enjoy traditional dishes and participate in workshops on Chinese culture. The celebration will include a parade in the morning from the Estació del Nord Park at 11:30 am, shows on the central stage under the Arc de Triomf.
The Chinese New Year celebration is supported by the Fundació Institut Confuci de Barcelona, Casa Asia, the Barcelona City Council and the Consulate General of the P.R. China in Barcelona.
Add new comment