Lunar New Year was celebrated in Gorbunov Recreation Center

The Gorbunov Moscow Palace of Culture, which is popular with rock musicians, celebrated the New Year according to the Eastern calendar. Pavel Matveev, a correspondent for Izvestia, told the details on February 16.

The Lunar New Year in Russia is often mistakenly referred to as the Chinese New Year. However, it is not Chinese — the whole of East Asia celebrates this holiday. But the association, of course, is primarily with China.

The current relations between Russia and China have been developing for decades. Sometimes it's long and difficult, starting with the demarcation of the border. Then there was a multiple increase in turnover. Still, problems can be solved if we both want to, and now we can move on to songs and dances.

Therefore, even clerical speeches seem to look sincere — yes, they really are. This is how Feng Litao, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Russia, put it about the coming year of the horse.

"In Chinese culture, horses are very special animals. Because it is a symbol of success, a symbol of energy," he said.

The event takes place in Moscow's Gorbunov Recreation Center, better known among rock musicians as Gorbushka. You have to understand that this scene has seen a lot of reels — but there is no such show yet.

The icing on the cake is commemorative diplomas to those who have made a special contribution to the development of education: principals of schools where Chinese is taught, and teachers. Many words were said about cooperation.

"We remember that modern China was born with the help of the Soviet Union. And naturally, we have special feelings for Russians. Historically, we have called Russia our big brother," said Ji Jinfeng, founder of the Russian—Chinese Cooperation Association.

"Cooperation with China is extremely important these days, because China is a very powerful ally of Russia in a very difficult modern geopolitical situation. And just as China is important to us, we are important to China," added Natalia Ilyinskaya, Rector of Moscow University for the Humanities.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the New Year is called Chunjie, literally translated as "spring festival." It is believed that it is from this day that nature wakes up after winter — this year it is extremely late: it happens that even in January, and now March is approaching.

"We continue to develop our traditional friendship. And I wish you all good health, good mood, prosperity and all the best," said Zhou Lijun, Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

A huge number of people gathered in the hall on the Hump, literally "the box is full". They came to warm up, not literally, but figuratively — to see something absolutely spiritual.

How to celebrate the Chinese New Year in 2026: dates, traditions and the meaning of the holiday

One of the famous legends about the origin of the holiday is associated with the mythical monster Nyan

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during video talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 4, said that in relations between Russia and China, any time of the year is spring. The Russian leader also expressed confidence in the strength and development of relations between Moscow and Beijing, regardless of the international situation. Putin stressed that he was confident in the progressive development of relations between the two countries in all areas.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.