China Minutes Newspaper shared at Spring Festival celebrations in London
On February 2nd, the special Year of the Snake Spring Festival print edition of China Minutes was shared with locals and tourists alike at the Chinese New Year celebration in Trafalgar Square, London. In less than half a day, over 10,000 copies were distributed. The special edition’s mascot, the giant panda Quange, was particularly popular with many visitors eager to take photos with it.
The 12-page full-colour English special edition included both images and text. It was dedicated to introducing Chinese New Year traditions and reporting on China and the UK.
With the theme “Celebrating the Year of the Snake Together,” the publication is divided into six sections: Snake-Themed Culture, Traditional Chinese New Year Activities, Lunar New Year Events in London, Local London Reporting, China Cultural Reporting, Travel Across China, and Year of the Snake Horoscope. Through its innovative design and engaging content, the special edition gives English-speaking readers an authentic glimpse into Chinese New Year celebrations.
This marks the ninth consecutive Spring Festival special edition since first launched for the Year of the Rooster edition in 2017.
Photo by Yini Wang.
Photo by Yini Wang.
Trafalgar Square and Chinatown became the brightest focal points of London for Chinese New Year. They drew massive crowds of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and all walks of life. Many dressed in festive attire for the occasion, adding to the wonder of the festival. The air was filled with laughter, drumbeats, and joyful cheers immersing the city in the spirit of Chinese New Year.
This year’s Chinese New Year celebration was more vibrant than ever, offering a richer and more diverse experience. In addition to the classic dragon and lion dances and various food stalls, the festival introduced new interactive activities. Visitors could enjoy traditional craft demonstrations and folk art performances. Activities included personalised calligraphy for Spring Festival couplets and “Fu” characters. Family-friendly games were able to be played throughout the day too, adding a modern and immersive touch to London’s traditional Spring Festival festivities.
The most delightful surprise was the enthusiastic participation of visitors from around the world. This year, not only did local residents and members of the Chinese community dress up for the occasion, but many international tourists also made a special trip to London to join the festivities. Dressed in traditional attire, they celebrated alongside Londoners, embracing the warmth and joy of the festival. Among them were young people in Hanfu, families who attend the celebration every year, and even foreign visitors wearing traditional Chinese wedding outfits to mark the occasion.
Written by Liangyi Yu, Yini Wang, Jiaying Yu, Weilin Chen, and Yuqian Hu.
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