BUDAPEST, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- In recent years, Spring Festival celebrations have attracted increasing participation in Hungary, highlighting growing cultural exchanges between Hungary and China, Hungarian sinologist Erika Yu-Barta said.

This year, around 40,000 people attended the Spring Festival Fair in Budapest, while the Hungarian Post completed its first series of Chinese zodiac stamps with the release of the Year of the Snake design.

Speaking to Xinhua in Budapest, Yu-Barta emphasized the recent inclusion of Spring Festival into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage list, highlighting its increasing global recognition.

As the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, approaches, Yu-Barta, having recently translated a Chinese linguistics book titled Chinese Characters into Hungarian, shared her admiration for the wisdom of ancient Chinese traditions.

"The origins of Chinese New Year reflect deep historical knowledge. The lunar calendar is a significant agricultural tool based on the sun and moon's impact on Earth. Its invention is both fascinating and complex," she said.

Yu-Barta also recalled organizing a poetry event last March that connected Chinese New Year with Hungarian literature. "We planned and hosted the event ourselves," she said, adding that it is a way to introduce Chinese New Year's meaning through poetry, creating a bridge between the two cultures.

Yu-Barta emphasized that mutual exchange is essential for fostering understanding between civilizations. Her connection to the Chinese New Year extends beyond academic curiosity; during her time living in Beijing in the late 1990s, she experienced the warmth of family traditions up close.

"We made dumplings, shared drinks, and enjoyed a festive New Year's eve dinner. It was a vivid experience of family togetherness," she said.

Now living in Hungary, Yu-Barta and her family continue to celebrate the festival by making dumplings, cooking special meals, and sending greetings via WeChat.

"Over time, I've come to feel ... It's no longer just about decorations like couplets and lanterns, it's about the emotional significance of reunion."

As Hungary embraces the festival with growing enthusiasm, she expressed hope that exchanges would become "more frequent." Enditem

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