Happy Chinese New Year | Nihao! China – An Enchanting Celebration of Intangible Cultural Heritage Hits the Streets of York!
On February 8, the “Travel Through Time, Meet China” Chinese New Year Hanfu flash mob was grandly held at The Grand Hotel, a five-star hotel in York, UK.
The event was co-hosted by the China National Tourist Office London (CNTO London) and OE Media, with support from Our City Hub and Jorvik Media Club. Through cultural performances, a lion dance parade, and various other activities, residents had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique charm of Chinese culture. The celebration also brought new vibrancy to the historic city of York, highlighting the global significance of the Spring Festival as a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.
Speech: Celebrating the Chinese New Year and Deepening Cultural Exchange
At 10:30 AM, the event officially commenced with the ringing of bells and cheers from Ben Fry, the Town Crier of York and host of the event.
Cllr Margaret Wells, the Mayor of York, delivered a speech on behalf of the city government, emphasizing that York, as a world-renowned historical and cultural city, has always been dedicated to promoting multicultural exchange. She expressed hope that through this Chinese New Year celebration, more citizens would gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and strengthen the friendship between the people of the two countries.
Cllr Bianca Vartic of the City of York Council also expressed that the city government has long supported the Chinese community and encouraged more citizens to participate in Chinese cultural activities, jointly promoting the development of social diversity. 
Pan Hang, representative of CNTO London, delivered a speech on-site to congratulate the successful hosting of the event. He mentioned that the Spring Festival was officially included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, marking a historic moment and recognizing Spring Festival culture as a shared global heritage. This year coincides with the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom, vitality, and prosperity. To celebrate this milestone, Pan Hang played a promotional video about the Spring Festival’s application for inclusion in the UNESCO list and, through the “Nihao! China” promotional video, introduced the rich cultural and tourism resources of China to the UK audience, inviting more international friends to experience the unique charm of China firsthand.
Kuang Leigang, President of the York Chinese Society, delivered a speech as a representative of the Chinese community. He reviewed the development history of the Chinese community in York and expressed his vision for the harmonious integration of diverse cultures.
The British sculptor Vincent Lyles also shared his invaluable experiences in China during his speech. He created the sculpture “Qin Dynasty Soldier and Roman Soldier Playing Chess”, symbolizing the fusion of Chinese and British cultures, at the Nanjing International Friendship Park. He expressed his deep appreciation for the shared cultural elements between the two countries. He hopes that in the future, there will be more cross-cultural collaboration projects, with art serving as a bridge to connect different civilizations.
Performance: Traditional Arts Shine Brightly
The cultural performance segment was filled with excitement, blending music, dance, traditional costume displays, and various art forms, immersing the audience in the unique charm of Chinese culture.
Zhang Yihan, Chen Xuankiao, and Dong Yichi performed a pipa and flute duet, delivering a melodious oriental tune.
Michelle, the founder of MOTTO SUSHI, introduced the culture of Manchu Qizhuang, showcasing the beauty of Chinese attire.
The owner of Szechuan York, Zhang Xinfang, elegantly
performed a solo dance, embodying the rhythm of the East.
Young singer Wang Xiaoqian performed a solo of “Love is Faraway”, captivating the audience with her delicate and moving voice. With 300,000 followers on Douyin, she is a talented vocalist who has held her own solo concerts and won numerous awards in domestic and international vocal competitions. 
The audience was deeply attracted by these wonderful performances, with many pulling out their phones to capture the unforgettable moment.
Dressed in Splendor, Lighting Up the Ancient City
In the afternoon, the Hanfu flash mob and lion dance parade took place in the vibrant streets of York’s city center, infusing the historic city with a strong sense of Chinese New Year spirit.
The parade was jointly led by the Town Crier of York and host Ben Fry and Sheriff of York Ms. Fiona Fitzpatrick. The procession gathered at the York Theatre Royal, starting from York Minster, passing through Minstergate, Stonegate, Parliament Street, Feasegate, and Coney Street, and successfully concluded at St Helen’s Square.
The participants, dressed in magnificent Hanfu, seemed to travel through time as they walked the historic streets of York, attracting a large crowd of locals who stopped to admire. Many tourists even joined in the interaction, eagerly taking photos with the Hanfu enthusiasts. The lion dance performance, with its lively drum beats and graceful movements, ignited the entire atmosphere, while children excitedly gathered around the lion dance troupe, fully immersed in the joy of the festival.
Throughout the entire parade, the streets were filled with festive cheer, as the lion dancers leaped with energy and the sound of gongs and drums filled the 
air, creating a vibrant Chinese New Year atmosphere. Many UK locals expressed that it was their first time experiencing the charm of Chinese New Year up close and hoped that more cultural events like this would be held in York in the future.
This event not only allowed the UK public to deeply experience the charm of the Chinese New Year culture but also fostered cultural exchange and understanding between China and the UK in a joyful atmosphere. In the future, York will continue to promote cultural integration, building more bridges for the spread of Chinese culture in the UK, allowing tradition and modernity, as well as East and West, to shine and flourish in this historic city.
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