STORY: Lion dance ignites cultural exchanges at Dutch ice hockey arena
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 24, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 26, 2025
LENGTH: 0:02:07
LOCATION: THE HAGUE, the Netherlands
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the ice hockey match
2. various of the lion dance performance
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JACCO MOOIJER, Treasurer of Dutch ice hockey club Hijs Hokij Den Haag
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HARRY VLAARDINGERBROEK, President of the professional team at Hijs Hokij Den Haag

STORYLINE:

The resounding clash of gongs and drums echoed through The Hague Arena on Friday night as a vibrant lion dance captivated Dutch spectators during the "Happy Spring Festival" celebration.
   
Organized by the local China Cultural Center in collaboration with De Uithof Sports Center and professional Dutch ice hockey club Hijs Hokij Den Haag, the event brought Chinese New Year traditions to life during the intermission at a Dutch professional ice hockey match.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JACCO MOOIJER, Treasurer of Dutch ice hockey club Hijs Hokij Den Haag
"It was really a great honor to have them here. I think that it's a very nice way of introducing, I would say, Western people to Chinese culture. I think it (Spring Festival) is a fresh start with a lot of prosperity for the new season coming in. Even in the West, spring is, of course, new life, new hope, more sunlight. So it is all about positivity for the future. That's how I experience the Spring Festival."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HARRY VLAARDINGERBROEK, President of the professional team at Hijs Hokij Den Haag
"The responses are, I think, very nice. People didn't see that here before, but I think that's very nice that two cultures (Dutch and Chinese cultures) are coming together here at the rink tonight."

According to the Chinese calendar, the Spring Festival falls on Jan. 29 this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from the Hague, the Netherlands.
(XHTV)