On the evening of February 20, the Uithof sports complex in The Hague was brilliantly illuminated and filled with excitement. The China Cultural Center in The Hague once again joined hands with Hijs Hokij The Hague to bring the “Happy Chinese New Year” celebration into this comprehensive ice sports venue. Before an audience of more than 2,000 spectators, a cultural spectacle blending the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year with the passion of ice hockey added a distinctive glow to the Dutch winter night.

The arena was packed. As soon as the first period ended, stirring music burst forth and a golden-red Chinese dragon leapt onto the ice, winding its way around the rink. With its head held high and body undulating, its golden scales shimmered under the lights. Gasps and applause rose from the stands as countless mobile phones lit up to capture the visually striking moment. This marked the second consecutive year that the China Cultural Center in The Hague and the ice hockey club jointly hosted the “Happy Chinese New Year” celebration. Through a vibrant dragon dance performance, they extended dynamic New Year wishes to the audience while showcasing the distinctive charm of traditional Chinese culture.

As one of the most popular winter sports in the Netherlands, ice hockey is not only a competitive event but also a cherished weekend pastime for many Dutch families. Before the game, numerous spectators stopped by the booth set up by the China Cultural Center in The Hague to browse books on Chinese culture and admire zodiac figurines and Spring Festival souvenirs. During the event, the cheers and laughter of the ice hockey crowd intertwined with the rhythmic beats accompanying the dragon dance, forming a winter symphony of Sino-Dutch cultural exchange.

Angelo Bomius, General Manager of Hijs Hokij The Hague, has visited China several times and holds deep affection for Chinese culture. In his view, the speed, strength, skill, and endurance embodied in ice hockey resonate closely with the spirit symbolized by the dragon and the horse in Chinese culture. In an interview, he expressed his delight in using ice hockey as a platform to promote Chinese culture, allowing more Dutch spectators to approach Chinese New Year traditions through this unique event and, in turn, come to appreciate and love Chinese culture.

Seeing the audience warmly embrace the Spring Festival celebrations filled him with satisfaction. He looks forward to establishing an even longer-term partnership with the China Cultural Center in The Hague, enabling more Dutch people to understand a real, multidimensional, and vibrant China.