SARAJEVO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Decorated with red lanterns, Chinese knots, and symbolic "Fu" (blessing) characters, the Confucius Institute at the University of Sarajevo was brimming with festive energy on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Year of the Snake.
Despite snow and freezing temperatures, the event drew nearly 100 attendees, offering a colorful and engaging introduction to Chinese traditions.
The festivities began with musical performances by students, including renditions of the beloved songs Gong Xi Gong Xi and Happy New Year. Traditional Tai Chi fan routines added an elegant display of Chinese martial arts.
Interactive workshops, such as paper cutting and quizzes on the Spring Festival, encouraged hands-on participation from the audience. These activities underscored the cultural and historical significance of the festival, which was recently added to UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Miroslav Zivanovic, the Bosnian director of the Confucius Institute, highlighted the importance of the festival's inclusion in UNESCO's prestigious list.
"This recognition is a significant step for promoting and protecting Chinese culture worldwide," Zivanovic noted. "It provides a unique platform to celebrate and introduce Chinese traditions to the Bosnian community. Each year, it's an opportunity to deepen local engagement with Chinese culture."
One of the standout performances came from high school student Edin Sehovic, who said "I've been learning Chinese since my time in Malaysia. The Spring Festival feels like a big family celebration that connects people and cultures. Its recognition as world heritage preserves the spirit of everyone who celebrates it."
The evening's entertainment also included a lively chopstick ping-pong ball challenge. Among the participants, 78-year-old Ed Levine emerged as the winner. A longtime Sarajevo resident who originally hailed from New York, Levine expressed his admiration for the festival's themes of togetherness.
"Thanks to the Confucius Institute, people here can connect with Chinese culture. I particularly admire the emphasis on family reunion-it's a beautiful concept," Levine said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Li Fan also praised the festival's role in fostering cultural exchange.
"The Spring Festival symbolizes courage and wisdom in the Year of the Snake," Li remarked.
"I am delighted to see students practicing Chinese calligraphy, with phrases like Hua She Tian Fu (Drawing a snake to bring good fortune) and She Lai Yun Zhuan (When the snake arrives, luck turns around). You have become ambassadors of friendship between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina," Li added. ■
