Chinese cultural event series kick off in Sri Lanka

A performance is staged during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 27, 2026. The opening performance of the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" activities took place here Tuesday night, alongside an intangible cultural heritage exhibition. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The opening gala of the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" cultural events in Sri Lanka was held Tuesday at Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo, marking the beginning of a series of celebrations ahead of the traditional Chinese holiday.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, the gala notably features artists and performers from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province. The art troupe presented the audience with authentic Bai ethnic performances, including songs, dancing, and musical performances with traditional instruments.

The gala was attended by an audience of around 1,200, including Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, senior officials of the Sri Lankan government, as well as Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka and the local public.

Addressing the event, Qi said that the year 2026 is the Chinese Year of the Horse. He noted that in Chinese culture, the animal symbolizes endeavor, loyalty, and success, which coincides with the spirit of optimism and strenuousness that is also valued in Sri Lanka. He wished both China and Sri Lanka new and greater accomplishments in the new year in their pursuits of national development.

In his speech, Wickramaratne hailed the long history of cultural exchange between Sri Lanka and China. He added that the performance amply manifests the joyfulness and profound cultural meanings of the traditional Chinese festival.

Apart from the opening gala, the cultural events will also see performances, parades and other activities held at the Colombo Port City, the Hambantota International Conference Centre, and Colombo's historic Gangaramaya Temple area. ■

Sri Lanka's parliament speaker Jagath Wickramaratne (L) attends a Chinese New Year celebration event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 27, 2026.

The opening performance of the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" activities took place here Tuesday night, alongside an intangible cultural heritage exhibition. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/Xinhua)

A performance is staged during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 27, 2026.

The opening performance of the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" activities took place here Tuesday night, alongside an intangible cultural heritage exhibition. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/Xinhua)

Chinese tea is displayed and offered to visitors during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 27, 2026.

The opening performance of the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" activities took place here Tuesday night, alongside an intangible cultural heritage exhibition. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/Xinhua)

A performance is staged during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 27, 2026.

The opening performance of the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" activities took place here Tuesday night, alongside an intangible cultural heritage exhibition. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/Xinhua)