[Report from the Official Shaolin Temple Website] Recently, the Cologne Shaolin Culture Center in Germany and the Shaolin Culture Center in the Netherlands jointly hosted a celebration for the Chinese Spring Festival. The event was warmly received and widely praised by local residents.

Under the leadership of Shi Yanpo from the Cologne Shaolin Culture Center in Germany and Shi Yanfeng, the head of the Shaolin Culture Center in the Netherlands, students from both centers and local well - wishers joyfully organized a series of activities to welcome the Chinese Spring Festival. These activities included a Spring Festival gala, scripture chanting for blessings, Shaolin kung fu demonstrations, and lion dance performances. The Spring Festival gala not only received live coverage from local television stations but also attracted over 200 enthusiastic spectators.

During the event, the Shaolin kung fu demonstrations and lion dance performances won the hearts of the audience, who applauded continuously. People gathered together to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. The harmonious and wonderful atmosphere was filled with a strong festive spirit.

According to Shi Yanpo, Shi Yanfeng, the head of the Shaolin Culture Center in the Netherlands, has practiced Shaolin kung fu for more than 30 years. He has been teaching Shaolin kung fu locally for over 20 years and is highly regarded by his students. In 2017, Shi Yanfeng and Shi Yanpo made a pilgrimage to Shaolin Temple. They devoutly paid respects to Ven. Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, and became his disciples. Shi Yanfeng was bestowed his Dharma name at that time. Since then, he has wholeheartedly dedicated himself to cultivation and the propagation of Buddhist teachings.

With the extensive spread of traditional Chinese culture and Shaolin culture across European countries, an increasing number of European people have started to learn about and appreciate these profound cultures. They actively participate in the series of cultural exchange activities organized by Shaolin culture centers in various European countries.

By hosting this Chinese Spring Festival celebration, not only can excellent traditional Chinese culture be spread and promoted, enabling more local people to benefit from the healthy, harmonious, and peaceful concepts within Shaolin culture, but it also promotes cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among different countries. This contributes wisdom and strength to global peace and development.

(Text: Zou Xiang; Photos: Cologne Shaolin Culture Center in Germany)