Welcoming the Year of the Horse with Festive Cheer

The Chinese School of Greater Kansas City Celebrates Lunar New Year at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the traditional Chinese calendar and is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture. Each year, Chinese communities around the world welcome the new year through a wide variety of festivities that preserve cultural traditions and strengthen intergenerational connections. This year’s Year of the Horse, symbolizing energy, progress, and vitality, added a spirited and joyful atmosphere to the celebration.

The Chinese School of Greater Kansas City (CSGKC) was invited to participate in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s annual Lunar New Year celebration. The school presented a series of cultural performances that blended tradition and creativity, drawing large crowds and allowing visitors to experience the lively spirit of the Lunar New Year despite the freezing, snowy weather.

Among the highlights was the school’s Chinese yo-yo (diabolo) performance, which captured the audience’s attention. Accompanied by upbeat music, brightly colored diabolos soared and spun through the air, with illuminated diabolos creating a particularly striking visual effect. The performers’ polished techniques earned enthusiastic applause and sparked strong interest in this traditional folk art.

The event also featured folk fusion dance performances from CSGKC, adding rich festive color to the program. Students from the fusion dance class, dressed in elegant traditional Chinese dresses and holding fans or oil-paper umbrellas, danced gracefully to lively rhythms. Their performance expressed joyful New Year blessings while showcasing the charm and vitality of traditional Chinese folk dance.

Beyond the stage performances, students, teachers, and families enthusiastically took part in many Lunar New Year activities organized by the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Participants explored museum galleries and interactive stations, enjoyed Asian art collections, experienced calligraphy, Year of the Horse printmaking and paper-cutting, hands-on crafts, and cultural tours, and watched performances by other community groups. These diverse activities broadened students’ cultural perspectives and provided meaningful opportunities to experience the exchange and integration of Chinese and other Asian cultures within a major American art institution.

The school extends its sincere appreciation to all student performers and participating groups, as well as to parents, teachers, coaches, volunteers, and museum partners for their support and dedication. CSGKC wishes everyone a successful, energetic, and fulfilling Year of the Horse, with continued growth in both learning and life.