In China, the Spring Festival marks the beginning of the new year. It falls on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar and involves a variety of social practices to usher in the new year, pray for good fortune, celebrate family reunions and promote community harmony. This process of celebration is known as “guonian” (crossing the year).

在中国，春节标志着新年的开始，是中国传统历法正月的第一天。在春节前后，人们会开展一系列活动，辞旧迎新，祈福纳祥，欢庆家庭团圆，促进邻里和睦，这一庆祝的过程俗称“过年”。

In the days preceding the festival, people clean their homes, stock provisions and prepare food. On New Year’s Eve, families dine together and stay up late to welcome the new year. During the festival, people wear new clothes, make offerings to heaven, earth and ancestors, and extend greetings to elders, relatives, friends and neighbours.

春节前夕，人们打扫房屋、储备年货、准备美食。除夕夜，每个家庭都齐聚吃年夜饭，守岁迎接新年。节日期间，人们穿上新衣，祭天、祭地、祭祖，向长辈、亲戚、朋友和邻居拜年。

Public festivities are held by communities, cultural institutions, social groups and art troupes. The traditional knowledge of the rituals, customs, legends and ballads associated with the spring festival, and the skills of preparing festival decorations and supplies, are transmitted informally within families and communities as well as formally through the public education system.

社区、文化机构、社会组织和艺术团体会举办公共庆祝活动。与春节有关的仪式、习俗、传说和歌谣的传统知识，准备节日装饰和用品的技巧，既在家庭和社区内流传，也通过学校教育传承至今。

Related crafts and performing arts are transmitted through apprenticeships. The spring festival promotes family values, social cohesion and peace while providing a sense of identity and continuity for the Chinese people.

相关的手工艺技术和表演艺术则通过师徒传承制度得以流传。春节弘扬了家庭价值观、社会凝聚力与和平精神，为中国人民赋予了身份认同感和文明连续感。