As part of deepening Russia-China ties, Moscow hosting series of events to celebrate Chinese New Year - Anadolu Ajansı

This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2025 shows a view of a themed metro train in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 29, 2025. Moscow unveiled the themed metro train on Wednesday to mark the start of the Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar. Photo: Xinhua

Moscow launched a special metro train decorated with traditional Chinese symbols on Wednesday to mark the Lunar New Year

Asian American communities around the U.S. and around the world are ringing in the Year of the Snake Wednesday, including in New York City. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival,

The holiday — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated by diaspora communities around the world

Lunar New Year festivals and prayers have marked the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and further afield – including in Moscow. The holiday – known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea – is a major festival celebrated by diaspora communities around the world.

Prayers, lion dances and firecrackers have marked the Year of the Snake as Lunar New Year festivals got under way around the world. The pop-pop-pop of firecrackers greeted the new year outside a temple in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday, followed by lion dances to the rhythmic beat of drums and small cymbals.

From Beijing to Hanoi and Moscow, the holiday — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated by diaspora communities around the world. Wednesday marks the start of the Year of the Snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Moscow launched a metro train decorated with Chinese motifs for the Lunar New Year on Wednesday amid strengthening relations with one-time rival China. (AP video/Vladimir Kondrashov)

at the China Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 25, 2025. An event to celebrate the Chinese New Year is held here on Saturday, attracting many visitors. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

The tightening of US financial sanctions, which at the end of 2024 affected Gazprombank, one of the few major Russian lenders, and in 2025 affected dozens of intermediary companies that supplied goods bypassing restrictions,