Milan, Italy - March 1, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of spectators watching dragon, lion dance performance
2. 2026 Olympics and Paralympics mascots dancing on stage

Florence, Italy - March 1, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. Various of traditional Chinese lion dance, dancing performacne
4. Spectators applauding
5. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Francesca Leone, local resident:
"It's a wonderful festival, like a Chinese version carnival. It helps people to know better about Chinese culture."
6. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Matteo Salvini, Italian deputy prime minister; minister of infrastructure and transport:
"I think the more you learn about Chinese culture, the more charm you will discover."

Zrenjanin, Serbia - March 1, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
7. Board showing cultural center of Zrenjanin
8. Various of viewers watching Chinese film
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Bojan Lalic, director, Belt and Road Institute in Belgrade:
"We noticed that [for] many people who watch Chinese movies, they start seeking the opportunity to go and visit China because they're amazed with the culture and then with the history."
10. Various of paper-cutting works, children trying paper cutting, calligraphy
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Stela, resident (starting with shot 10/ending with shot 12):
"I tried the Chinese calligraphy and I think that it's easy, but it's really hard. I'm excited and I like this."
12. Stella writing

Bandung, Indonesia - March 2, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
13. Board showing theme of performance
14. Various of performance in progress, attendees
15. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Ginawan Chondro, chairman, West Java branch of Indonesian Chinese Chamber of Commerce (ending with shot 16):
"I think the performance was exceptionally wonderful. I hope they can come to Bandung next time. It's an honor for us Chinese."
16. Various of performance in progress, attendees

A range of vibrant cultural activities have been held in Italy, Serbia and Indonesia on the occasion of the Chinese New Year holiday to mark the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, offering holiday revelers a chance to explore the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

A grand celebration featuring jubilant traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances, music and other cultural performances was held on Sunday in front of the landmark Arco della Pace in Milan, Italy, attracting over 20,000 residents and travelers.

On the same day, a grand festivity took center stage in Italy's Florence with a variety of performances, attracting a large number of local residents and tourists.

"It's a wonderful festival, like a Chinese version carnival. It helps people to know better about Chinese culture," said Francesca Leone, a local resident.

"I think the more you learn about Chinese culture, the more charm you will discover," said Matteo Salvini, Italian deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport at the event.

On Sunday, in Zrenjanin, Serbia, a festive event was held to provide local residents a chance to watch Chinese films and try traditional Chinese customs ahead of the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year holiday.

"We noticed that [for] many people who watch Chinese movies, they start seeking the opportunity to go and visit China because they're amazed with the culture and then with the history," said Bojan Lalic, director of the Belt and Road Institute in Belgrade.

At the event, paper cutting and calligraphy inspired many children to have a try of these art forms.

"I tried the Chinese calligraphy and I think that it's easy, but it's really hard. I'm excited and I like this," said Stela, a girl.

In Bandung, Indonesia on Monday, a visiting performance was jointly organized by All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

Thousands of Indonesians from all walks of life and overseas Chinese enjoyed the show.

"I think the performance was exceptionally wonderful. I hope they can come to Bandung next time. It's an honor for us Chinese," said Ginawan Chondro, chairman of the West Java branch of the Indonesian Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar, or March 3 this year. The Lantern Festival is a time when Chinese people head out from home to wander through beautiful lantern shows and express their best wishes for the new year.