【編者按】 在新春裏，在大地上。以青年視角，觀察今日中國，紅網「青椒計劃」特別推出 2024「新春‘椒’響曲」龍年專輯。你知道在外國留學生眼裏的春節，有著怎樣獨特的意義嗎？今天，由重慶大學羅馬尼亞籍留學生鄧琳娜講述她在春節盛典，所感受到的中國文化的傳承創新。
□鄧琳娜（羅馬尼亞籍留學生）
春節，這個節日的名字如此美麗。僅僅一聽到它，你立刻會聯想到希望和新生，進步和喜悅。我探索春節的旅程頗為漫長，始於我首次與來自羅馬尼亞孔子學院的中國老師互動並與之交友，共同慶祝這個神奇的節日。
開啟新希望的春節盛典
由於我是孔子學院的一名誌願者，並且熟悉所有老師，我有幸參與了超過15種食物的準備工作，以及他們用紅對聯和小紅燈籠裝飾門戶的過程。我品嘗了最美味的食物，和大家一起吃火鍋，觀看春節聯歡晚會。我們討論了新年的含義，以及關於中國除夕的傳說，講述怪獸會襲擊人類並帶來災難。我了解了祖父母需要給孩子們紅包的習俗，以及為每一天拜訪親戚所做的所有安排。
透過遵循這些習俗，傳播喜悅，並以最大的幸福迎接新年，春節不僅是代表中國文化的獨特慶典，更是一個代表人類希望的慶典。每年，學院都會在城裏最大的禮堂舉辦一場特別的春節慶祝活動，學生和老師們聚集在一起唱歌、跳舞、吟詩，展示中國文化。我記得，禮堂裏坐滿了渴望了解春節背後含義和更多中國文化的人們。
唯一令人遺憾的是，他們無法品嘗到美味的中國食物，甚至包括餃子。我們感受到的喜悅是無法衡量的，因為我們不僅理解了春節的真正含義，而且渴望與所有中國老師交流。我記得演出結束時一個孩子滿臉笑容，眼睛閃爍著對父母說：「我想去中國！我想去中國！」那一刻，我的內心聲音也在吶喊：「我也想去中國！」從那時起，我就有了一個強烈的願望，要努力學習並去體驗中國的春節。
春節為整個城市帶來了希望。大學組織了一場線上慶祝活動，孔子學院搜集了許多著名的中國歌手和舞者的現場和錄播表演。喜悅和希望再次傳播開來，人們將這次線上慶典視為美好的體驗，也是對未來更大希望的一扇窗。這些快樂的時刻，讓人們的心中充滿了歡愉和幸福，他們都感到這是一個新的開始，春節為他們帶來了希望。
參與春節盛典。
傳承與創新的和諧融合
過了3年的時間，我才能實作我的夢想。去年，我來到了中國，恰好錯過了春節。但中國的一切讓我感到非常震撼：現代的建築、基礎設施以及日常生活中使用的所有技術，使生活比我想象的要容易得多。
我驚訝地發現，在這個現代且繁華、飲茶和打太極的文化共生的國度，中國人保留了數百年來的傳統和風俗，使得生活的節奏變得更加寧靜。中國在各個方面都是一個富有的國家：擁有值得終身學習的豐富文化和歷史，以及保存了千百年來的廣泛傳統。然而，與此同時，這個國家也並沒有安於現狀、停滯不前。
相反，中國目前已成為全球第二大經濟體，不斷在醫學、建築、基礎設施、技術方面取得新的發現和進步，為世界各國展示了其快速的步伐。在其他國家，傳統與現代往往對立，比如在歐洲，保持傳統在年輕一代中一直是個問題。所以更多的國家應該向中國學習，從中汲取如何將過去與現代相融合的靈感。
中國春節的街頭布置。
國際矚目的節日
中國人民代代相傳，一年又一年地保持著這個節日的慶祝傳統。此外，他們將傳統與科技相結合，使人們能夠了解真實的中國：一個懂得珍惜自己的歷史、文化和節日的輝煌國家。倫敦和舊金山以舉辦除中國外最大的中國新年慶祝活動而自豪，有許多燈籠和舞龍獅子。許多人前來體驗這個特殊的慶祝活動，並更多地了解中國文化。
春運也是春節的一個重要組成部份，代表著回歸家庭的真正含義，團聚意味著團結。世界上沒有其他地方有這種現象，因此我們都應該向中國文化學習，因為家庭是如此重要，家庭是社會的基石。如果家庭是一個充滿愛和喜悅的真實場所，在那裏每個人都學習和發展，那麽社會的未來將會光明無雲，如同沒有雲彩的天空一般。
中國社會非常重視家庭，尊重所有親戚。由於家庭是個體受到最直接影響的地方，被視為社會的中心。這是價值觀可以灌輸並最容易發生變化的地方。當家庭相信自己能夠成功，互相支持，並幫助彼此成長達到新的高度時，社會可以取得偉大的成就。
然而，如果家庭一直處於貧困和絕望的境地，社會就不會進步。單一家庭對社會的影響微不足道。然而，當討論整體家庭時，這就顯得重要了。因為我們在互聯系統中，都受到彼此的影響，我們也有能力透過積極地影響彼此，來取得更積極的作用。早期的互動有助於塑造一個孩子的生活技能，他們隨後將這些生活技能套用到與同事、熟人、親人甚至陌生人的互動中。人們與社會的互動經常受到這些家庭關系的影響，從而對社區中將要建立的聯系產生影響。他們將學會尊重彼此的不同之處，並合作實作共同目標，這些力量來自一個強大的家庭。
因此，家庭對於防止我們變成孤僻、孤獨、無法與人交往、建立關系或合作的個體至關重要。家庭就像火鍋中的一種美味配料。最終，火鍋因為每一種小配料而變得美味。正如在社會中，所有的家庭共同組成了一個完美的火鍋。
現在，所有的街道都掛滿了燈籠，到處都是歡樂和幸福。如果有人感到有點低落、沮喪或不快，應該走在充滿慶典氛圍的中國街頭，就會感覺好多了。燈籠是繁榮的象征，它們寄托了新年的美好祝願，希望社會取得更大的成功。我喜歡欣賞到處都是不同種類的燈籠，某種程度上，我感覺像是星空中的星星，透過這些美麗的燈籠照耀在街道上。
此外，今年是龍年，這是一種神秘的生物，代表著中華民族。我的妹妹是龍年出生，她對此非常興奮。龍是中國生肖中的第五個動物，在中國文化中，龍是幸運、力量、健康和陽剛之氣的象征。在中國文化中，龍是特殊的，因為它是唯一的傳奇生物。許多其他文明，包括西方文明，將龍視為邪惡和黑暗的象征。
然而，在中國，龍被視為皇權、繁榮和福祉的象征。在我的文化中，龍被視為英雄需要克服的障礙。在許多故事中，英雄們與龍搏鬥，以解救他們關在塔裏的美麗公主。然而，中國人並不將龍描繪成邪惡的東西，而是看作繁榮的象征。如果我可以說，龍是我知道的最酷的神話動物，那麽中國人也是非常酷的。
我相信這個新的一年，將是中國人民和我們所有人取得更大成就和幸運的一年。我也希望中國文化能夠像一條飛翔的巨龍一樣，傳播到全世界，給每個人帶來更多的知識。我期待著參與這個慶祝活動，體驗它的真正含義，就像多年前我的旅程開始時那樣，真正實作我的夢想。
新年快樂！
Spring festival is such a beautiful name for a festival. Only by hearing it you immediately think of hope and renewal, advancement and joy. My journey to discover the Spring Festival is quite long and it started when I first interacted and made friends with the Chinese teachers that came to Romania at Confucius institute and celebrated this magical festival.
The festival of hope
Because I was a volunteer at Confucius institute and I was familiar with all the teachers I had the pleasure to assist the preparations for more than 15 kind of food and the decoration of their doors with red couplets and small red lanterns. I tasted the most delicious kinds of food and ate hot pot together and watched the New Year Gala. We discussed about what New year means and the legend behind the Chinese New Year’s Eve with the monster that would attack people and bring disaster. I learned about the red envelopes that grandparents need to give to the little ones and all the arrangements made for every single day to visit the relatives. By respecting these customs, spreading joy and welcoming the new year with the greatest happiness, the Spring Festival is not only a unique celebration that represents the Chinese culture, but also a 3, 500 years old celebration that represents hope for humanity.
Every year, the institute would organize a special Spring festival celebration in the biggest auditorium room in town where students and teachers would gather to sing, dance, recite poems, presenting Chinese culture. I remember the auditorium filled with people eager to discover what is the meaning behind the Spring Festival and to learn more about Chinese culture. The only bad part is that they could not taste the delicious Chinese food, not even jiaozi, because who would cook for 500 people? The joy that we felt was immeasurable and everyone form the audience was not only understanding the true meaning of Spring Festival but, also, they were eager to talk with all the Chinese teachers. I remember the expression on a kid’s face when the show ended: it was all a smile, with glowing eyes saying to his parents: 「I want to go to China! I want to go to China!」 That moment my inner voice was also yelling: I want to go to China! Since then, I had a strong wish to keep on studying hard and go to experience the Chinese Festival with my own eyes.
During the pandemic The Spring Festival brought hope to the entire city, because the university organized an online celebration, when everyone thought that this beautiful festival will not be held. The Confucius institute gathered live and recorded performances of many famous Chinese singers and dancers. The joy and hope were spread again and people found this online gala a wonderful experience and a window to greater hope for the future. Those happy moments brought joy and happiness in people’s hearts and they all felt it was a new beggining. The Spring Festival has brought hope into their hearts.
A unique combination of modern and tradition
It took me 3 years to make my dream come true. I arrived in China last year, right after Spring Festival and I was overwhelmed by everything that surrounded me: the modern architecture, the infrastructure and all the technology used in everyday life, hence life was made so much easier than I ever imagined. I was surprised to find how people in a country where a modern and bustling life can combine with the practice of drinking tea and practicing Taichi. I think the fast life pace is slowed down by all the traditions and customs that Chinese preserved so well for hundreds of years. China is a rich country in all aspects: with a rich culture and history that takes a lifetime to be studied, and with a broad range of traditions that have been kept for thousand of years, but still at the same time, this country could never be told that is stuck in the past. On the contrary, it has one of the best economies in the world and it is always making new discoveries and advancement in medicine, architecture, infrastructure, technology and is setting a fast step for all countries in the world. Tradition and modern times seem to be in contrast in other countries, because in Europe there is always the problem of keeping the traditions among the younger generation and so more countries should take a look at China and get inspiration from how they integrate the past with the modern times.
A worldwide known celebration
Chinese people have kept this festival for generations and have maintained their traditions year after year. Moreover, they combined the traditions with technology so people can have an idea of what China really is: a splendid country that knows how to cherish its history, culture and festivals. London and San Francisco are proud of having the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside China with many lanterns and dragon and lion dancing. Many people go to experience this special celebration and learn more about the Chinese culture, in general.
The Spring Migration is also an important part of the Spring Festival that stands for the true meaning of going back to your family and reunion stands for unity. No other place on Earth has this kind of phenomenon, therefore we all should learn from Chinese culture that family is so important because after all family is the foundation of the society. If family is a true place of love and joy, where everyone learns and develop, then the future of society is bright as a sky without clouds. Chinese society values a lot family and respect all relatives and this shows that China will definitely have a bright future. Since the family is the place where individuals are most directly impacted, it is seen as the center of society. This is where values may be instilled and change can be made most easily. The society can accomplish great things when families have faith in their ability to succeed, support one another, and help one another grow and reach new heights. However, society will not advance if families are kept in a perpetual state of destitution and hopelessness. Speaking of a single family, the influence that a family has on society is minimal. That is significant, though, when discussing families as a whole. We also have the power to positively impact one another since we are all influenced by one another in our interconnected systems. Early interactions help shape a child's expectations for the rest of their life. They later apply these life skills to their interactions with colleagues, acquaintances, loved ones, and even strangers. People's interactions with society are frequently shaped by these familial ties. They have an impact on the connections they will make in the community. They will learn to respect one another despite their differences and cooperate to achieve shared objectives from a family that is powerful. Thus, family is crucial to preventing us from becoming reclusive, solitary beings incapable of interacting, building relationships, or cooperating with others. A family is like a good ingredient in a hot pot. In the end, the hot pot tastes delicious because of each small ingredient, so is in the society, where all families form a perfect hot pot.
Now, all the streets are filled with lanterns and everywhere you see joy and happiness. If anyone feels a little down, upset or unhappy should walk the Chinese streets in full celebration, and they will feel better. Lanterns are a sign of prosperity and they welcome the new year with a lot of good wishes and the hope for a more successful year. I simply like to admire the different kind of lanterns that are everywhere, in a way I feel like the starts on the sky shine on the street through these beautiful lanterns. Moreover, this year is the year of the dragon, the mythical creature that always represented the Chinese nation. My sister is a dragon and she is very excited about this. The dragon is the fifth animal in the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is a symbol of luck, power, wellness, and the masculine element Yang in Chinese culture. Of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is special since it is the sole legendary being. Many other civilizations, including Western ones, view the dragon as a representation of evil and darkness. However, the dragon is seen as a symbol of imperial authority, prosperity, and well-being in China. In my culture, the dragon is seen as an obstacle that the hero needs to overcome. In many stories heroes fight with dragons to free beautiful princesses that they hold locked inside a tower. However, Chinese people do not picture the dragon as something evil, but as a sign of prosperity. If I can say, the dragon is the coolest mythical animal I know and so Chinese people are also very cool. I believe this new year will be a year of prosperity and luck with greater accomplishments for Chinese people and for all of us. I also hope that Chinese culture will spread around the world as a dragon that in its flight will bring a lot of knowledge to everyone.
I am looking forward to taking part into this celebration and experiencing its true meaning, as I felt years ago when my journey started and to actually fulfill my dream.
Happy New Year!
