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Hungary welcomes the Year of the Snake with unique celebration

Pablo Gutierrez in Budapest

02:24

The China Cultural Center in Budapest marked the Year of the Snake with a celebration blending tradition and technology. Visitors enjoyed a mix of crafts, performances and online gaming to welcome the official Chinese New Year.

The event featured Chinese opera, lantern-making, sugar-blowing and kite design while Suzhou embroidery artisans showcased their work alongside Hungary's Matyó embroidery artists.

"It's very exciting and beautiful that our two cultures come together," Vivien Csótó, a Matyó embroidery artisan, told CGTN. "I hope we will have more events like this in the future."

Chinese opera impressed revelers. /CGTN
Chinese opera impressed revelers. /CGTN

Chinese opera impressed revelers. /CGTN

A unique twist to this year's proceedings came via League of Legends and Wild Rift, two popular online games. 

Charlie Eriksson, known in the gaming community as Kesha, is a world-ranked player and was invited to meet and play with fans.

Craig Zhang, from the China Cultural Center, called gaming a useful tool to engage young people. "With this game, we can promote our Chinese culture, especially to youngsters; that is our idea," said Zhang.

Charlie Eriksson (right), known in the gaming community as Kesha, meets a fan. /CGTN
Charlie Eriksson (right), known in the gaming community as Kesha, meets a fan. /CGTN

Charlie Eriksson (right), known in the gaming community as Kesha, meets a fan. /CGTN

To celebrate the new year, the games' creators added special features including digital costumes inspired by Suzhou embroidery highlighting China's heritage.

Zhang explained that these costumes led to collaboration with artisans. "It's a way to connect the past with the future," he said.

Attendees were given hands-on opportunities to work with Chinese crafts. Families learned lantern-making, sugar-blowing and kite design. Performances of traditional opera added to the atmosphere.

Displays of Suzhou embroidery highlighting China's heritage. /CGTN
Displays of Suzhou embroidery highlighting China's heritage. /CGTN

Displays of Suzhou embroidery highlighting China's heritage. /CGTN

The event also created memorable moments for visitors. "Facing one of the world's best players was thrilling," said one participant who joined Kesha for a quick match.

For many, the celebration showed the power of cultural exchange. Organizers said they aim to continue hosting events that highlight the best of Chinese and Hungarian traditions.

This Year of the Snake celebration reminded everyone that traditions, both ancient and modern, bring people together.

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