Happy Lantern Festival
Just after 4 p.m. on March 3, a long line had already formed outside China Cultural Center in Stockholm. Children, holding their parents’ hands, stood on tiptoe and peered inside. Young couples with strollers discussed the lantern riddles they were about to guess in Swedish. A few elderly Swedes studied the “Fu” characters they had just photographed on their phones. Amid the crowd, the familiar sounds of Chinese dialects could be heard. On this day, nearly 400 local residents and Chinese people packed the center to the brim.
Just a few days earlier, when the registration channel for this event opened, spots were filled in seconds. Messages kept pouring in: “Finns det fler platser?” (Are there more spots?) “Kan man komma utan bokning?” (Can we come without registration?)
Lantern Festival Temple Fair: A Chinese Cultural Experience in Sweden
Stepping into China Cultural Center in Stockholm, visitors were greeted by hanging red lanterns and Chinese knot decorations, with the sweet fragrance of sesame tangyuan wafting through the air.
At the photo spot, a Swedish father held up his phone, capturing his daughter dressed in a Hanfu, mimicking the gesture of a nearby Chinese child making a bow with folded hands—”Gong xi fa cai!” (Wish you prosperity!) Her slightly awkward Mandarin pronunciation drew laughter from onlookers. “She specifically asked to wear Hanfu today,” the father said with a smile. The interactive game area was a sea of joy. At the lantern riddle booth, people pondered deeply. A long line formed for the ring toss game—every time someone made a successful throw, regardless of nationality, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
The most popular attraction was undoubtedly the “Taste of China” food zone. Tangyuan, sugar-coated hawthorn skewers, shrimp crackers, tofu pudding, fried dough twists—each item sparked curiosity among Swedish attendees. “What is this?” a Swedish woman asked, pointing at the round tangyuan. “Yuanxiao, a traditional food for the Chinese New Year, symbolizing reunion,” a volunteer explained. “Families sit together and eat tangyuan, representing togetherness.” The woman took a small bite, and as the black sesame filling slowly oozed out, her eyes widened: “So good! So this is a Chinese New Year tradition!”
A local high school teacher brought students learning Chinese to China Cultural Center in Stockholm, turning the venue into a classroom as they celebrated the Lantern Festival while learning. The students expressed how fascinating it was to experience the culture firsthand while studying Chinese and Chinese traditions. “What we learn from textbooks is one thing, but experiencing it in person is entirely different. Today, I finally understood why the Spring Festival means so much to Chinese people—reunion, blessings, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. These concepts truly came to life for me today.”
Lantern Festival Party: When Swedish Youth Meet the Rhythm of China
As night fell, before the crowd from the temple fair had even fully dispersed, over 100 young people had already poured into the main exhibition hall. The lights shifted, the music thumped, and the Lantern Festival party officially began.
On stage, the band composed of Chinese and Swedish members, played familiar Chinese hits. Though the young Swedes couldn’t understand the lyrics, they bobbed their heads and swayed to the rhythm just as enthusiastically as anyone. When a Swedish band took the stage and sang in their native language, Chinese students joined in, waving their hands and singing along. “That’s so cool!” one Chinese student exclaimed while recording on his phone. “Look at that Swedish guy—he knows the Chinese songs better than I do.”
The food queue formed once again. Many young Swedes were tasting tangyuan for the first time, blowing on the steaming glutinous rice balls to cool them down. “Is this chocolate inside?” they asked. “No, it’s black sesame—a traditional Chinese sweet flavor.” Some nodded knowingly, while others looked amazed. The raffle drew wave after wave of cheers, as lucky winners beamed while holding their prize boxes filled with culturally inspired souvenirs.
At 8:30 p.m., the party came to an end amid laughter and chatter. The crowd lingered—some exchanged contact information, others gathered around volunteers to ask more questions about Chinese New Year traditions, and a few slowly savored their last bowls of tangyuan.
Friendship and Understanding
Grow Quietly and Imperceptibly Through Cultural Experiences
After the event, we received feedback like this:
A Swedish family shared: “My daughter did a school project about Chinese New Year and has always wanted to experience a real Chinese celebration. Today, she won a small prize in the ring toss, ate tangyuan, and even learned to say ‘Happy New Year’ in Chinese. On the way home, she kept saying this was the best ‘Chinese New Year’ she’d ever had.”
A Chinese student said: “I came with my Swedish classmates. They were totally wowed the whole time and kept asking me questions. Before, they were always the ones introducing me to Swedish culture. Today, I got to introduce them to Chinese culture—and I felt so proud! One of them is already planning a trip to China next year.”
A second-generation Chinese attendee reflected: “My mom talks about celebrating the New Year every year, but I never really understood it. Coming here today with my Swedish friends, translating for them, acting as their guide—it finally clicked. New Year is about being together and having fun, whether you’re Chinese or Swedish.”
A Swedish university student said: “Before this, my knowledge of Chinese culture was limited to Chinese restaurants and kung fu movies. Today, I learned how rich the Spring Festival really is—reunion, blessings, welcoming the new year. And the music you young people listen to, the way you have fun—it’s not so different from us. If there’s another chance, I’ll definitely come again.”
A temple fair for 300 people, a party for 100—both fully booked within minutes. This was more than just a gathering for the Chinese community; it was a warm and enthusiastic response from Swedish friends embracing Chinese culture. When Swedish parents bring their children to experience Chinese New Year, when Swedish youth dance to Chinese music—cultural exchange has long moved beyond “showcasing” and “viewing.” It has become a genuine meeting of hearts.
This Lantern Festival, friends from China and Sweden gathered at China Cultural Center in Stockholm to share the joy and warmth of a Chinese New Year celebration. And this cultural encounter is just the beginning. Next time—will you be there?
斯德哥尔摩中国文化中心
China Cultural Center in Stockholm
开放时间：周二至周六，10:00 – 16:00
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 -16:00
地址/Address:
Västra Trädgårdsgatan 2, 111 53 Stockholm
官网/Website: https://www.cccstockholm.org
Facebook: China Cultural Center in Stockholm
https://www.facebook.com/China-Cultural-Center-in-Stockholm-110983273921638
Instagram: chinaculturalcenterinstockholm
https://www.instagram.com/chinaculturalcenterinstockholm/
YouTube: China Cultural Center in Stockholm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYqOYwuQtyTHC-iMNdfExsw
