Reimagining reunion

"Wish you a Happy Chinese New Year, with a heart full of love and festive cheer. Chase your dreams, let go of fear, with your family, friends, and loved ones near."

As these lyrics rang out across the stage of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, hosted by China Media Group, audiences across the country witnessed a familiar celebration delivered in an unexpected voice — that of Shaun Gibson, an independent musician from the United Kingdom.

The song, titled Happy Chinese New Year, was later released on platforms including Bilibili and Xiaohongshu (Red-Note), extending its reach well beyond the television broadcast.

Gibson's connection to the Spring Festival began more than a decade ago in his hometown of Liverpool, far from China.

"I just happened to be walking through the city center and came across a loong dance," he recalled, referring to the traditional performance that imitates the movements of a loong. "They were setting off firecrackers, and I thought there was some kind of war going on. It was so loud and so exciting, and I was fascinated by it."

That encounter left a lasting impression. In the years that followed, Gibson celebrated six Spring Festivals across China, experiencing everything from the grand public festivities of Chaoshan in Guangdong province to intimate family gatherings in Sichuan province.

"In Chaoshan, I was lucky enough to witness so many amazing local traditions, like Yingge (a folk dance)," he said. "And in my friend's hometown in Sichuan this year, we experienced chixi — sitting together with relatives and enjoying a home-cooked feast."

For Gibson, these moments became the emotional foundation of his song. "Everything in the lyrics and the music is what I've experienced, and the music video is literally the footage of what I went through these years," he said. "If you're sensitive like I am, it's impossible not to feel the true nature of Spring Festival because it's everywhere — beyond all of the celebrations and the parties."