On Saturday 14 February, the national Chinese New Year celebration starts in The Hague City Hall. This marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The celebration features colourful performances with dance, music and acrobatics by artists from China and artists from Chinese associations in the Netherlands. There is also a Chinese culture market with activities for young and old. And on Saturday 21 February, there will be a festive parade with Chinese lions and dragons in Chinatown Den Haag.
Chinese New Year on 14 and 21 February in The Hague
The Chinese New Year festival, also known as the National Spring Festival, starts on Saturday 14 February in The Hague City Hall. This is already the 24th edition of the national Chinese New Year celebration at this location. In addition, there is a Chinese culture market with dance, music and activities about Chinese art and culture in the Amare theatre hall, next to City Hall. And on Saturday 21 February, there will be a festive parade with Chinese lions and dragons in Chinatown Den Haag, with Chinese fireworks. On this day, there will also be a Chinese culture market in Amare with dance, music and activities for everyone.
Unique in The Hague
For the first time, the Chinese New Year celebration in The Hague will be spread over two days. The national opening in City Hall and the closing parade in Chinatown Den Haag together form the beginning and end of this Chinese New Year celebration. This makes the National Spring Festival unique for The Hague: the national celebration on Saturday 14 February and the local celebration on Saturday 21 February.
Year of the Horse
Atom Zhou, The Hague entrepreneur and chairman of the National Committee for Chinese New Year in the Netherlands: “On Saturday 14 February we start with the national Chinese New Year celebration in The Hague City Hall, and on Saturday 21 February there is the local celebration in Chinatown Den Haag. That week, Chinese entrepreneurs have decorated their shop or restaurant in a Chinese New Year atmosphere with lots of red and gold. Officially, Chinese New Year takes place on 17 February, the Year of the Horse. In our culture, the horse stands for freedom and energy. This animal also embodies passion and enthusiasm and encourages people to pursue their dreams with dedication. These values fit perfectly with a festival that brings people together. This inspired us to celebrate Chinese New Year together not on one day, but on two days. Because in China, Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days. To organise Chinese New Year on two days, we work together with various Chinese associations and Dutch organisations. We want to introduce everyone to the rich Chinese culture, young and old.”
