Shunyi gala highlights tradition and modernity

The 2026 Shunyi District "Our Festival" Spring Festival Cultural Gala took center stage Tuesday at the Shunyi Grand Theatre in Beijing, drawing over 700 local residents and a massive digital audience of 13,000 via livestream.

Featuring performers from the China Coal Mine Art Troupe, the gala offered a vibrant showcase of traditional Chinese culture reimagined through contemporary artistic expression.

It was themed by the patriotic anthems "My Motherland" and "My People, My Country," reflecting a deep sense of national pride and cultural continuity.

The performance unfolded through three narrative lenses provided by people who promote intangible cultural heritage, overseas Chinese, and university students. This storytelling framework connected more than ten diverse acts, including Peking Opera, face-changing, diabolo, and traditional instrumental ensembles. By blending ancient aesthetics with modern vitality, the program highlighted the enduring relevance of China's cultural heritage in a modern context.

The event bridged the gap between online and offline audiences through local media livestreams, ensuring that high-quality cultural programming reached a broader public.

Attendees particularly praised the diabolo act and the musical arrangements, noting that the gala effectively captured the festive spirit of the Lunar Chinese New Year while making traditional arts accessible to a new generation of viewers.