As the Chinese Spring Festival draws closer, hundreds of people gathered in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, for a front-row experience of Chinese New Year traditions.

by Xinhua writers Bai Ge, Hang Zebo

JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese Spring Festival draws closer, hundreds of people gathered in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, for a front-row experience of Chinese New Year traditions, as artists from China's Sichuan Province brought stunning performances and festive spirit to local audiences.

The event, themed "Happy Chinese New Year," was co-hosted by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Embassy in South Africa at the South African State Theatre.

As the curtain lifted, South African performers took the stage with Viva South Africa, bringing the hall to life with rhythm and color. Dressed in traditional Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho attire, they danced to the pounding beat, prompting a roar of applause from the audience.

Following their performance, visiting artists of the Sichuan Performing Arts Troupe delighted the audience with a spectacular showcase of local traditions.

Instrumental ensembles, Yi and Qiang ethnic dances, acrobatics and magic unfolded seamlessly on stage, joined by striking northern Sichuan wooden puppets. The highlight was the iconic face-changing opera, whose split-second transformations drew gasps and applause from the crowd.

With its colorful costumes, dynamic rhythms and expressive performances, the show captivated local audiences, many experiencing such celebrations for the first time.

Leah Koloane, a 38-year-old from Johannesburg, traveled all the way to Pretoria with her three children for the show. She said the Sichuan face-changing performance left her amazed.

"It was unbelievable," she said. "I watched closely, and in the blink of an eye, the face changed. It was utterly magical!"

Experiencing Chinese culture up close for the first time, Koloane said the performance was a feast for the eyes. Compared with the energy and vibrancy of South African culture, she felt the Sichuan arts were more subtle and profound.

Koloane's excitement was echoed by Nomcebo Moyo, also from Johannesburg. "This was my first time watching a Chinese cultural performance," she said. "I loved the colours and movements of the ethnic dances. It was absolutely stunning."

For Mei Lin, a Sichuan Opera face-changing performer, the show carried unique significance. She said it was an honor to present traditional Chinese arts to overseas Chinese communities and South African audiences. "Our performance is a bridge for cultural exchange between China and Africa, and I am proud to be part of that bridge," she said.

In addition to the performances, exhibition booths showcased Chinese technology, including drones and smartphones, as well as traditional culture such as tea, calligraphy and paper-cutting.

Outside the theatre, the latest models from several Chinese automakers also drew crowds, with hundreds of visitors stopping to take photos and get a closer look. Many attendees said the event not only entertained them but also deepened their understanding of China.

"I wish I could attend more events like this so my children can learn more about China," said Koloane.

This year, China's Spring Festival falls on Feb. 17, marking the start of the Year of the Horse.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said the Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China. He said it represents renewal, reunion and prosperity, and reflects the Chinese people's hopes for family harmony and a better shared future.

Noting that 2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development of China and also the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Wu said, "China, together with South Africa, is ready to strengthen the foundations of cooperation, deepen mutual understanding between our peoples, and work jointly toward modernization to build an even brighter future for China-South Africa relations."

Nomalungelo Gina, deputy minister of science, technology and innovation, extended warm greetings to the Chinese people and reaffirmed commitment to further deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

"As the Chinese usher in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of independence, leadership and success, I am confident that these qualities will continue to be reflected in the evolving relationship between South Africa and China," she said.