Year of the Snake celebrated at the Confucius Institute of the University of Coimbra, with the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal
The event took place on 3 February, with the UC serving as the main stage for the celebrations.
The Chinese Zodiac is based on Chinese astrology and consists of 12 signs represented by animals. The key difference is that, unlike the Western horoscope, the signs are not divided by months throughout the year; instead, each year is ruled by a specific animal.
In 2025, the Confucius Institute of the University of Coimbra (ICUC) was chosen as the venue for the Spring Festival celebrations in Portugal, with the "Happy Chinese New Year" event promoted by the Chinese Embassy, to celebrate the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, strategy and intuition.
The choice of Coimbra to host the festivities reflects the importance of the city and the university in the relationship between Portugal and China. The Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang, stressed that "Coimbra is a long-established, renowned university with a great academic influence in Europe and the world". Moreover, "it has many cooperation agreements with China, involving universities, academies and research institutions. We have chosen Coimbra to celebrate the Chinese New Year with its citizens.
The diplomat went on to say that "it is a great pleasure and honour to interact with students and professors who have a deep understanding of Chinese history, culture and language".
Zhao Bentang also highlighted the international recognition of the Chinese New Year, stating that "this year is special because UNESCO has recently recognised the Spring Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". He added that the celebration "does not belong to China alone, but to the world - and that includes Portugal".
The ICUC had previously participated in Chinese New Year celebrations in 2020, but this was the first time it played a central role in the festivities organised by the Chinese Embassy. João Nuno Calvão da Silva, UC Vice-Rector for External Relations and Alumni, underscored the significance of this distinction, "Typically, the Chinese Embassy would hold events in Lisbon or Porto. Choosing Coimbra to host this celebration, in collaboration with the Chinese community, the Chambers of Commerce and the Chinese League in Portugal, recognises the work that our university has been developing with China and the Macau SAR," he said.
The festivities included cultural performances, exhibitions, and a reception at the Coimbra City Hall, strengthening the growing connection between Portuguese and Chinese cultures.
According to the Chinese calendar, 2025 is the year 4723, marked by the Yin Wood Snake. The event not only celebrated Chinese culture but also strengthened the ties between Coimbra and China, solidifying the city as an important centre for academic and cultural exchange.
