Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year Concert celebrates one of the most important festivities in Chinese culture: a time of renewal, hope and gathering, marked by music, colour and ancestral symbolism. In 2026, we welcome the Year of the Horse, a sign associated with energy, freedom, movement and enthusiasm — qualities that run through this entire musical programme.

Performed by the Braga Philharmonic Orchestra, this concert offers a musical journey through 20th and 21st century Chinese music, bringing together works by contemporary composers, traditional songs and symphonic arrangements that evoke landscapes, folk dances, festivals and deep feelings such as longing, joy and love for the homeland. The festive New Year’s overture sets the tone for celebration, while pieces inspired by traditional dances, folk songs and melodies well known to the public build a musical journey rich in contrasts and emotions. Throughout the programme, music becomes a bridge between cultures, crossing Chinese tradition with the language of the Western symphony orchestra. The participation of guest soloists adds an expressive and human dimension, giving voice to the core values of the Chinese New Year.

More than a concert, this show is an invitation to cultural sharing and the celebration of a new cycle. In a festive and inclusive spirit, the audience is invited to welcome the Year of the Horse with music that symbolises prosperity, good luck and new beginnings.