As the Lunar New Year approaches, Chinese students in London are blending ancient customs with modern global lifestyles to celebrate the Spring Festival, the most significant cultural event in Chinese tradition. CGTN Stringer's interviews reveal how these young scholars uphold family values while navigating life thousands of miles from home.
\"My parents mailed red envelopes filled with blessings, but we opened them together via Zoom,\" said Li Wei, a postgraduate at University College London, highlighting how technology bridges distances. Many students described late-night video calls with families in the Chinese mainland, synchronized dumpling-making sessions, and virtual temple fair explorations.
Amid lantern decorations adorning Chinatown, several interviewees emphasized the festival's core theme of renewal. \"I'm learning to cook traditional dishes to preserve our heritage,\" shared environmental science student Zhang Yixing, whose resolution includes launching a cross-cultural sustainability project. Others mentioned career goals, academic ambitions, and aspirations for stronger international connections in the Year of the Rabbit.
While nostalgia for hometown celebrations persists, students expressed excitement about sharing customs with global peers. Economics major Chen Yue noted: \"Through Spring Festival workshops at my university, we're turning cultural exchange into lasting friendships.\"
Reference(s):
Chinese students in England: Spring Festival means reunion and hope
cgtn.com
