Chinese New Year at Venice Carnival!
At the Venice Carnival, the magic of the Chinese New Year comes alive!
On Shrove Tuesday, the lagoon city turns into a grand stage for cultural exchange, hosting the celebrations of the Chinese New Year in a fascinating dialogue between East and West.
Masks, music, and traditions blend into a unique event, where the spirit of Carnival meets the rituals of good fortune of the Chinese New Year, giving rise to a celebration of shared colors, sounds, and meanings.
ICCTPA – Italy China Culture and Tourism Promotion Association
Lion Dance and Loong Dance
Among the performances, ICCTPA presents two of the most iconic expressions of Chinese tradition: the Lion Dance and the Loong Dance.
The Lion Dance, a symbol of strength, protection, and good fortune, combines dance, martial arts, and acrobatics in a visually striking performance. The movements—also performed on acrobatic poles—require technical precision and perfect coordination, while the driving rhythm of live drums and gongs accompanies the show, engaging the audience in an intense and participatory experience traditionally linked to Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Loong Dance, a collective ritual of celebration and good fortune, represents vital energy and harmony. Rather than a static choreography, it is a fluid, roaming dance that unfolds across the performance space and surrounding area, creating a direct dialogue with the audience. The Loong comes to life through the synchronized movement of the dancers, accompanied exclusively by live traditional instruments, creating an authentic and immersive atmosphere.
In Chinese culture, the lion and the Loong are not merely animal figures, but powerful symbols of protection, energy, and prosperity: their dance transforms public space into a meeting point between tradition and contemporaneity.
ASD Tigre Bianca
Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Ji Quan (Chen Style) and Qi Gong Performance
ASD Tigre Bianca presents a performance of approximately 15 minutes, alternating collective moments, small group performances, and individual demonstrations, creating a dynamic narrative of Chinese martial arts and traditional health practices.
Shaolin Kung Fu, Chen-style Tai Ji Quan, and Qi Gong follow one another in a demonstration that combines strength, fluidity, and concentration, conveying a message of personal growth on a physical, mental, and emotional level. These disciplines—now officially recognized by CONI—originated in China over fifteen hundred years ago and are deeply rooted in traditional Chinese thought and Zen philosophy.
Founded in Mirano, the Tigre Bianca association has been promoting these practices for many years among all age groups, with particular attention to young people, while also encouraging competitive activity at both national and international levels. Its deep connection with the Song Yang Shaolin Wushu Academy, near the famous Shaolin Monastery, represents a strong cultural and sporting bridge between Italy and China, built through more than twenty-five years of exchanges, training, and shared events.
A New Year’s Greeting – Xinnian Hao
Traditional Songs for Children
The celebration features a special moment dedicated to the youngest, with traditional New Year songs such as “Xinnian Hao” and “Gongxi Gongxi”, cheerful melodies that convey deep messages of hope, happiness, health, and prosperity.
Through simple lyrics and engaging rhythms, children become the protagonists of a collective wish for the new year. Songs like Gongxi Gongxi, originally created as a song of resilience and peace after the hardships of war, carry a shared historical memory and a wish that goes beyond the celebration: honoring the strength of community and the ability to face the future with confidence.
Ever Green – Chinese Language and Culture School
The children’s performances are curated by Ever Green, the first Chinese language educational school in the Venice area, founded in 2006 and officially recognized by local authorities. Established by faculty from the Chinese Department at Ca’ Foscari University and families from the Chinese community, the school has long been a reference point for the promotion of Chinese language and culture.
Ever Green organizes cultural events, performances, and social integration initiatives, guiding new generations of overseas Chinese in valuing their roots. In recent years, it has actively participated in the Venice Carnival, contributing to its cultural program with poetry, music, and allegorical parades.
