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Chinese New Year Reception at Divadlo Hybernia, Prague

On Monday, 13 February, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Prague welcomed diplomats, representatives of public life, business leaders, and friends of China to celebrate the Chinese New Year — the Year of the Horse. The festive event took place in the elegant surroundings of Divadlo Hybernia, one of Prague’s distinguished cultural venues, providing an ideal stage for an evening dedicated to tradition, renewal, and friendship.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in the Chinese cultural calendar. It marks not only the beginning of a new lunar year but also a time of reflection, family unity, and hopeful anticipation for the future. The Year of the Horse traditionally symbolizes energy, strength, endurance, and forward movement — qualities that resonated strongly throughout the evening’s program.

In his warm and gracious opening address, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue and mutual understanding between China and the Czech Republic. He underlined the long-standing relations between the two countries and the growing cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchange. The Ambassador highlighted that the Spring Festival is a celebration of optimism and renewal — values that transcend borders and bring people together across cultures.

Chinese New Year is far more than a festive holiday. It is the emotional and cultural center of the Chinese year, reflecting thousands of years of civilizational continuity. Rooted in ancient agrarian traditions, the festival originally marked the end of winter and the hopeful beginning of a new agricultural cycle. Over centuries, it evolved into a comprehensive social and spiritual celebration that connects family, ancestry, and the future.

At its heart lies the idea of renewal. Homes are thoroughly cleaned before the New Year begins — symbolically sweeping away misfortune and making space for new opportunities. Red decorations, poetic couplets expressing wishes for prosperity, and lanterns illuminate houses and streets. The color red, deeply associated with luck, vitality, and protection, dominates the visual identity of the festival.

The reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is considered the most important meal of the year. Families travel long distances to gather, often crossing provinces or even continents to return home. This annual migration represents one of the largest recurring human movements in the world. The reunion dinner reinforces values of family unity, respect for elders, and intergenerational continuity — principles that remain foundational to Chinese society.

Another central element of the celebration is the exchange of red envelopes containing money, traditionally given by elders to younger family members. These envelopes symbolize blessings, encouragement, and goodwill for the year ahead. Fireworks and lion or dragon dances express collective joy and shared celebration.

The zodiac cycle, rotating every twelve years, adds a further symbolic dimension. The Horse represents vitality, perseverance, independence, and ambition. It embodies forward momentum and disciplined strength — qualities admired both in personal life and in national development.

Against this rich cultural background, the celebration at Divadlo Hybernia acquired deeper resonance. The theatre, located in the heart of Prague, has long been associated with artistic excellence and international exchange. It provided a fitting backdrop for the evening’s impressive cultural program, which captivated the audience from the very first performance.

Guests were treated to a diverse array of artistic presentations showcasing the vitality of Chinese culture. Traditional musical performances created an atmosphere of elegance and authenticity, while colorful dance performances combined precision, grace, and expressive storytelling. The performers demonstrated remarkable discipline and artistry, earning sustained applause from the international audience.

Following the formal program, guests were invited to a reception featuring excellent wine and a refined selection of dishes. The culinary offering reflected generosity and sophistication, while conversations unfolded in an atmosphere of cordial exchange, strengthening personal and professional ties.

The celebration of the Year of the Horse at Divadlo Hybernia was more than a ceremonial gathering. It was a vivid testament to tradition, renewal, and the enduring role of culture in building bridges between nations.

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布拉格希伯尼亞劇院中國新年招待會

2月13日星期一，中華人民共和國駐布拉格大使在布拉格希伯尼亞劇院舉辦了一場盛大的中國新年招待會，歡迎各國外交官、社會各界代表、商界領袖以及中國之友齊聚一堂，共同慶祝中國新年——馬年。這場慶祝活動在布拉格著名的文化場所之一——希伯尼亞劇院舉行，劇院環境優雅，為這場以傳統、新生和友誼為主題的晚會提供了理想的舞台。

中國新年，又稱春節，是中國最重要的節日。它不僅標誌著農曆新年的開始，也是反思過去、闔家團圓、展望未來的時刻。馬年象徵著活力、力量、堅韌和進取感——這些美好的品質貫穿了當晚的活動。

大使在熱情洋溢的開幕致詞中，強調了中捷兩國文化對話和相互理解的重要性。他強調了兩國間源遠流長的關係，以及在貿易、投資、旅遊、教育和文化交流等領域日益密切的合作。大使指出，春節是慶祝樂觀和新生的節日——這些價值觀超越國界，將不同文化背景的人們連結在一起。

春節遠不止是一個節日，它是中國一年中情感和文化的中心，體現了數千年文明的延續。春節植根於古老的農業傳統，最初標誌著冬季的結束和充滿希望的新農業週期的開始。幾個世紀以來，它演變成一個連結家庭、祖先和未來的綜合社會和精神慶典。

春節的核心是新生。新年到來之前，家家戶戶都會徹底打掃房屋——象徵著掃除厄運，迎接新的機會。紅色的裝飾、表達美好祝福的對聯和燈籠照亮了房屋和街道。紅色象徵好運、活力和守護，是春節視覺形象的主色調。

除夕夜的團圓飯被認為是全年最重要的一餐。家人遠道而來，往往跨越省份甚至大陸，回到家鄉團聚。這種一年一度的遷徙是世界上規模最大的周期性人口流動之一。團圓飯強化了家庭團聚、尊敬長輩和代際傳承的價值觀——這些原則至今仍是中華社會的基石。

慶祝活動的另一個核心元素是互贈紅包，紅包裡裝著壓歲錢，傳統上由長輩給晚輩。這些紅包象徵著對來年的祝福、鼓勵和祝福。煙火和舞獅舞龍則表達了大家的喜悅和共同慶祝的氛圍。

十二生肖的輪迴也為春節增添了象徵意義。馬代表著活力、毅力、獨立和雄心。它體現了進取精神和嚴謹作風——這些品質在個人生活和國家發展中都備受推崇。

在如此豐富的文化背景下，希伯尼亞劇院的慶祝活動更添一份深意。這座位於布拉格市中心的劇院，長期以來都是藝術卓越和國際交流的象徵。它為當晚精彩的文化節目提供了絕佳的舞台，節目從第一場演出開始就深深吸引了觀眾。

賓客們欣賞了豐富多彩的藝術表演，充分展現了中國文化的活力。傳統音樂表演營造出優雅而純正的氛圍，而色彩繽紛的舞蹈表演則將精準、優美和富有表現力的敘事完美融合。表演者們展現了非凡的紀律和藝術造詣，贏得了國際觀眾歷久不息的掌聲。

正式節目結束後，賓客受邀參加招待會，享用精選葡萄酒和精緻佳餚。美食的款待體現了慷慨和精緻，而賓客們在友好交流的氛圍中暢談，加深了彼此間的友誼和職業情誼。

在海伯尼亞劇院舉行的馬年慶祝活動不僅僅是一場儀式性的聚會，它更是對傳統、革新以及文化在搭建國家間橋樑方面所發揮的持久作用的生動見證。