Flash mob event in Valletta.

Every year, while much of the world welcomes the New Year on January 1, China celebrates it weeks later − and the reason lies in the sky. Western countries follow the solar (Gregorian) calendar, based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

China follows the lunar calendar, guided by the moon’s phases. Each lunar month begins with a new moon, and Chinese New Year falls on the first new moon of the year, usually between late January and mid-February. The date therefore changes annually, marking not simply a new beginning but a seasonal turning point shaped by nature itself.

In 2026, Chinese New Year falls on February 17, welcoming the Year of the Horse. In Chinese culture, the Horse symbolises energy, independence and forward movement − qualities associated with confidence, vitality and a spirit of exploration. Those born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026 are said to embody these traits. A Horse year encourages courage and momentum, inviting people to move ahead with purpose.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malta, Zhang Zuo addressing the Chinese New Year Gala.

To mark the occasion, the China Cultural Centre in Malta, together with local and Chinese partners, has organised a series of cultural events throughout the month. Through performance, education and shared public celebration, Maltese audiences are invited to experience diverse expressions of Chinese culture.

Performance at St Joachim Primary School in Marsascala

The celebrations opened on Thursday, February 5, at St Joachim Primary School in Marsascala. Organised by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, the Malta-China Friendship Association, and the Marsascala local council, the event welcomed the China Xizang Autonomous Region Art Troupe, who travelled from the Tibetan Plateau to share New Year greetings with more than 400 students and teachers.

The China Xizang Autonomous Region Art Troupe performing at the Chinese New Year Gala. 

Through song, dance and traditional costume, the performers introduced students to the distinctive artistic traditions of Xizang. The presence of Chinese Ambassador Zhang Zuo highlighted the importance placed on cultural exchange, particularly among younger generations. Addressing the school community, he thanked the artists for their long journey and expressed hope that such encounters nurture understanding and friendship from an early age.

Mario Calleja, mayor of Marsascala and vice president of the Malta-China Friendship Association, described the occasion as a major highlight of the local cultural calendar. Dr Chen Xiao, director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, observed that China and Malta are both ancient civilisations sharing deep cultural values. For many children present, the performance broadened their understanding of China beyond familiar images, offering a glimpse into the living traditions of Xizang.

Performance at San Miguel Febres Cordero Special School in Pembroke

On the morning of Friday, February 6, the China Xizang Autonomous Region Art Troupe visited San Miguel Febres Cordero Special School in Malta. The programme was thoughtfully adapted to meet the needs of children with disabilities, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment in which every child could participate comfortably.

Through lively dances, joyful rhythms and vibrant ethnic costumes, the performers shared the spirit of the Tibetan Plateau while engaging directly with the students. The children responded with spontaneous applause, laughter and movement, joining the artists in dance. Their faces reflected genuine delight and connection.

Mark Agius, principal of San Miguel, noted that the visit provided students with a rare and meaningful cultural experience. He emphasised that through music, dance and warm interaction, the artists transcended boundaries of language and physical difference, enabling the children to feel respected, understood and included. He described this as the most touching meaning of culture.

Dr Chen Xiao, director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, added that “Happy Chinese New Year” is not only about sharing joy and peace, but also about conveying warmth and care. Moments like this, she said, demonstrate how culture can comfort hearts and build bridges across continents. For the students and performers alike, the encounter between East and West will remain a cherished memory.

Chinese New Year Gala

On the evening of Friday, February 6, celebrations continued with the Chinese New Year Gala at Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta. Organised by the Chinese Embassy in Malta and co-organised by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Xizang Autonomous Region, and the Malta-China Friendship Association, the event drew a full audience.

Opening the event, Ambassador Zhang Zuo reflected on the meaning of celebrating Chinese New Year far from home and on the role of cultural exchange in strengthening ties between China and Malta. Dr Chen Xiao, director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, highlighted the global ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ initiative, launched in 2001, which has grown into one of China’s most significant international cultural exchange programmes.

A performance at San Miguel Febres Cordero Special School in Pembroke.

Twenty-seven artists from Xizang presented a varied programme. The evening opened with the energetic Reba Dance, Rhythm of Spring, followed by songs such as Snowy Plateau and Holy City Lhasa, evoking the landscapes and spirit of Tibet. Dances including Aji Zema and Dadong Cham showcased regional traditions and dynamic folk culture. The gala concluded with Langma Duixie and Beautiful Xizang, bringing the celebration to a vibrant and uplifting close.

Flash mob event

On Saturday, February 7, celebrations moved outdoors with a lively flash mob near the Parliament Building in Valletta.

An ordinary morning transformed into an unexpected cultural encounter as music and dance filled the square. The Tibetan artists’ colourful costumes stood out against the limestone cityscape. Passers-by paused, applauded and gradually joined in, turning the moment into a spontaneous shared celebration. Locals and visitors danced together, creating a joyful expression of intercultural exchange in the heart of Valletta.

Chinese film screening – The Lychee Road

As part of the programme, audiences are invited to a special screening of The Lychee Road on Tuesday, February 17, from 7.30 to 9.30pm at Spazju Kreattiv.

The screening forms part of the Happy Chinese New Year Chinese Film Event, hosted by the China Film Administration and the China Cultural Centre in Malta, organised by the China Film Archive, and supported by Spazju Kreattiv.

Students at St Joachim Primary School in Marsascala greeting a performer.

Directed by and starring Da Peng, the historical comedy-drama is adapted from Ma Boyong’s novel Lychees of Chang’an. Set during the Tang Dynasty, it follows Li Shande, a low-ranking official tasked with delivering fresh lychees across vast distances to the imperial capital in time for a royal birthday.

The film will be screened at Spazju Kreattiv in Chinese with English subtitles, making it accessible to local audiences while preserving the authenticity of the original language. Blending humour with historical insight, the film offers viewers a vivid portrayal of life in ancient China − from its sophisticated trade networks to the human realities behind imperial administration − continuing the spirit of Happy Chinese New Year through cinema.

Lantern light-up ceremony in Melita Street

On Friday, February 20, the China Cultural Centre in Malta will light up Chinese lanterns on Melita Street in Valletta, just outside the Centre. In Chinese tradition, lanterns symbolise light, reunion and hope, and their illumination marks the joyful close of the New Year period with the Lantern Festival. Over time, the hanging of colourful lanterns along Melita Street has become a beloved local feature, gently transforming the space and inviting passers-by to pause and share in the festive atmosphere.

Hanfu parade in Valletta

The Chinese New Year celebrations will conclude with a Hanfu parade on Saturday, February 21, from 4 to 5pm, organised by the China Cultural Centre in Malta in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta. The parade will begin at the China Cultural Centre on Melita Street and proceed through Republic Street and St George’s Square, concluding at the Tritoni Fountain.

Hanfu parade in Valletta

Hanfu refers to the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese people, with a history of more than three millennia. Defined by flowing robes, crossed collars and elegant lines, Hanfu reflects an aesthetic rooted in harmony and balance.

In recent years, Hanfu has experienced a revival among younger generations in China, who wear it during festivals and cultural occasions as a way of reconnecting with heritage. As the parade moves through Valletta’s historic streets, these garments will be seen as intended − in motion, animated by the rhythm of a living city.

The event brings together two ancient cultures in a shared public space, drawing the 2026 Happy Chinese New Year celebrations in Malta to a graceful close.