Nightfall gala of togetherness
As night fell, the "Spring Night Roaming Gala" began in the building lobby. The head of the center's teaching and outreach department opened the evening with humor, weaving together the symbolism of the horse and the romance of Valentine's Day.
The center's folk music ensemble set the tone with a vibrant performance. The Second Waltz unfolded with flowing festivity; Horse Racing galloped with dynamic strings; Moon over the Frontier evoked tranquil elegance; and Drunken Ecstasy brought spirited applause. A special highlight came when mixed-heritage singer Gersende performed the French classic Les Champs-Élysées, cleverly adapting the lyrics to reference the China Cultural Center in Paris, prompting joyful sing-alongs.
The center's newly launched Chinese-language exchange brand, "Liao·Liao," also took center stage. What began as a small classroom activity became a shared language game in the hall: guests practiced greetings, learned Year of the Horse idioms and festive expressions to use.
A collective New Year greeting ceremony followed, culminating in the "Galloping for Blessings" lucky draw. Prizes were presented by center director Wang Meng, deputy director Zhu Xiaoyun and deputy mayor Gaude. Cheers, applause and delighted smiles captured the shared joy of the season.
Guests then gathered in the courtyard for the light projection show "Illuminating the Yungang Grottoes · Paris Resonance". Through projection mapping and music, the millennia-old Buddhist art of the Yungang Grottoes was reimagined in a contemporary Parisian setting. Statues and intricate patterns appeared to echo across time.
