On the afternoon of February 15, 2026, the Confucius Institute at “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Iași was beautifully decorated with lanterns and festive ornaments as it successfully hosted the “Auspicious Year of the Horse · Spring Festival Carnival.” Teachers and students from the university, along with local school communities and residents, gathered together to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Chinese New Year and welcome the arrival of spring with joy and laughter.
Upon arrival, participants received a “Carnival Passport” at the registration desk and wrote down their New Year wishes on red sticky notes, which were then placed on the “New Year Wish Wall.” Each wish card carried heartfelt hopes and blessings for the year ahead. The carnival featured four themed areas with more than ten engaging cultural activities. With their passports in hand, participants moved from booth to booth, immersing themselves in the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.
At the calligraphy booth, participants practiced writing the Chinese character for the zodiac animal “Horse” under the guidance of volunteers, experiencing the bold elegance of Chinese brush calligraphy through each carefully crafted stroke. In the paper-cutting area, red paper and scissors were transformed into vivid patterns, allowing visitors to appreciate the delicacy of this traditional folk art. A new addition this year—the lacquer fan-making workshop—proved especially popular. Participants dripped their favorite colors into water and gently rotated the fan surface, watching the pigments flow and blend naturally to create one-of-a-kind designs. Alia, a young student from the Confucius Institute, excitedly shared that it was her first time making such a beautiful fan. She described the vibrant patterns as even more dazzling than a kaleidoscope and couldn’t wait to show her creation to her parents and classmates.The puzzle and strategy games area attracted many focused participants. Traditional Chinese toys such as the Kongming Lock and Huarong Dao challenged visitors to test their patience and problem-solving skills. With the help of volunteers, they successfully completed one challenge after another, and cheers erupted whenever a puzzle was solved.
To make the event even more exciting, a reward system was introduced. Participants earned a sticker for each completed activity. Those who collected eight stickers could exchange them for exquisite gifts and enter a lucky draw. Cheers from prize winners repeatedly pushed the festive atmosphere to new heights.At 3:30 p.m., the cultural performance segment began. Chinese language teacher Liu Zhitong opened the show with a liuqin solo titled “Galloping Steeds.” Young student Tana then performed the classic New Year melody “Gong Xi” on the piano, and the entire audience joined in singing this well-known festive song, creating a warm and spirited atmosphere.In the finale, everyone sang “The Same Song” together. Director Gabriela delivered a heartfelt solo in the second verse, accompanied by Director Chen Gong on guitar, while Chinese language teacher Bo Shengyi performed a graceful dance. The lyrics—“Every encounter and every smiling face are forever cherished”—conveyed wishes for world peace and harmonious coexistence, bringing the celebration to a moving climax.
As the event drew to a close, participants gathered on the outdoor lawn for a friendly tug-of-war competition. Mixed teams of Chinese and international students cheered and pulled with determination as the red ribbon tied to the rope shifted back and forth. Surrounded by enthusiastic supporters, the field echoed with encouragement and laughter, adding warmth to the winter afternoon. After several lively rounds, victory became secondary to the joy of participation, and every face beamed with happiness. Finally, everyone gathered for a group photo, marking a perfect conclusion to the celebration.
The “Auspicious Year of the Horse · Spring Festival Carnival” not only created a strong festive atmosphere in Iași but also served as a meaningful platform for cultural exchange between local residents and Chinese students studying in Romania. Through a wide range of interactive experiences, participants gained a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture and enjoyed an unforgettable Spring Festival filled with warmth, joy, and friendship.
