On March 7, as early spring arrived, the China Cultural Center in The Hague hosted a Chinese-style tea gathering themed “Spring Moon.” Co-organized with the Dutch Hexing Calligraphy and Painting Association, the event marked the center’s first cultural experience activity of 2026 combining Chinese tea culture with traditional flower arrangement, attracting many local cultural enthusiasts.

At the beginning of the event, speaker Lin Yong introduced the traditional literati aesthetics known as the “Four Elegances of the Song Dynasty”—flower arrangement, incense appreciation, tea preparation, and hanging paintings—as well as the “Four Arts” of qin (zither), chess, calligraphy, and painting. She also reviewed various cultural activities previously held by the China Cultural Center in The Hague, highlighting the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

Participants were then guided into the world of Chinese tea. Lin Yong explained the classification and geographical distribution of China’s six major tea categories and demonstrated the brewing and tasting techniques of Chinese green tea.

As the tea experience continued, the focus shifted to Chinese flower arrangement. Lin Yong traced the historical development of Chinese floral art from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the Ming dynasty, and explained the philosophy behind traditional Chinese flower arrangement. In particular, she demonstrated the classical bottle-flower technique known as “sa,” used to secure flower branches in the vessel, revealing the ingenuity of traditional craftsmanship.

Under her guidance, participants selected flowers and created their own arrangements, combining theory with hands-on practice. Soon, baskets and vases of elegant and expressive flower arrangements were displayed across the room, and participants happily photographed their creations.

After the flower arrangement session, the tea gathering returned once again to the enjoyment of tea. The venue also featured a collection point for tourism brochures introducing the culture and landscapes of various regions in China. The center prepared materials from multiple provinces and cities, offering visitors practical cultural information for those interested in traveling to China.

By combining tea tasting, floral art, and cultural interpretation, the “Spring Moon” tea gathering allowed Dutch participants to experience the elegance and depth of traditional Chinese aesthetics through an immersive cultural encounter.