From Chinese folk music performance to traditional lion dance performance, events featuring time-honored traditions have been held in Italy, Denmark and the United Kingdom over the past few days to celebrate the Spring Festival marking the start of a Chinese New Year.

The Spring Festival, which fell on Jan. 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake - the sixth animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. It is an occasion for family reunions, marking old traditions and looking forward to new beginnings in China.
To add a festive atmosphere, a Chinese traditional music concert was staged in Milan, Italy, on Jan. 29. The event featured impassioned performances that showcased distinct Chinese artistic elements and included a special collaboration between a local Italian soprano and a Chinese tenor, captivating both Chinese and international audiences.
On the same day, a series of wonderful shows, including singing and dancing, acrobatics, magic, and traditional operas, were presented by Chinese artists from Hangzhou Opera and Dance Theater in Denmark. These diverse performances also highlighted the charm of Chinese ethnic culture and won warm applause of the audience.
On Saturday, dancers performed traditional Chinese lion dance in London's Chinatown district to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
These lions went from restaurant to restaurant and from business to business, offering blessings and prosperity for the year ahead. The owners came out, greeted them and offered them some food in return for the blessings that they offered for the coming year.