From January 21 to March 21, a series of cultural events celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival unfolded across Spain, centered on music, food, folk customs, exhibitions and cultural exchange. Together they showcased the multidimensional, vibrant spirit of the Chinese New Year.

The 9th China Taste

On January 28 local time, the 9th China Taste culinary festival opened at IFEMA Madrid. Chinese chef Julio Zhang (Zhang Yongping) and Spanish chef Roberto Martínez Foronda collaborated on stage, preparing the same ingredients with two distinct techniques—Sichuan stir‑frying and Jerez garlic slow cooking. The former demonstrated precise heat control and layered seasoning, while the latter highlighted the delicate elegance of Mediterranean flavors. The demonstration transcended language, letting guests experience a creative fusion of Chinese and Western culinary traditions.

China Taste 2026

From February 1 to March 3, the 9th China Taste culinary festival continued across multiple Spanish cities, featuring 28 distinguished Chinese restaurants offering specially curated Spring Festival set menus.

Spring Festival Concert

On February 8 local time, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe and the Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra presented a Sino‑Western Spring Festival concert at the National Music Auditorium of Spain. The program included pieces such as "Treading the Waves," "Song of the Wanderer" and "The Silk Road." The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra will also tour Seville, Salamanca and Valencia, using traditional Chinese instruments to evoke poetic, classical hues.

Exhibitions

Around the Spring Festival, the China Cultural Centre in Madrid and partner cultural institutions launched three exhibitions: Ancient China in Cultural Creations; Anshan Cuijin: An Exhibition of Chinese Lifestyle Aesthetics; and Blooming Flowers and Full Moon: Chinese Installation Art Exhibition. Each explores the contemporary vitality of traditional culture through cultural creativity, lifestyle aesthetics and modern art. Anshan Cuijin opened in December2025 and runs through March 8, 2026, presenting over 100 items—furniture, scholar's objects and clothing—within recreated Chinese‑style courtyards and studies to form an immersive Eastern‑aesthetic space.

Yingge Dance Performance: 

Yingge dance troupes from Guangdong will join the Spring Festival costume parade in Madrid's Chinatown for the first time. Their powerful rhythms and majestic presence will resonate with Spain's street‑festival traditions, adding a distinctive Eastern flavor to Madrid's celebrations.