On Feb 13, festive red lanterns and Chinese knots transformed the International Academic Exchange Center at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) into a hub of holiday cheer.
With 397 undergraduate and graduate students remaining on campus for the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, the university hosted a grand Spring Festival gathering to provide a sense of community and heritage.
The festivities started in the afternoon with folk traditions. Faculty and students gathered to practice calligraphy, creating spring couplets that captured the spirit of the Year of the Horse.
Nearby, the air was filled with laughter as teams worked together to knead dough and make dumplings. These handmade treats, paired with holiday music, set a harmonious tone for the evening as participants posed for photos with university leadership.
As the banquet began at 5:00 pm, the venue erupted in talent displays featuring student songs and dances. The excitement peaked during three rounds of prize draws, where prizes like action cameras and smart bands were given away.
The dinner menu highlighted the taste of HZAU, featuring agricultural products such as navel oranges, radix isatidis oilseed rape, and black rice developed by the university's research teams.
Gathered around tables, the campus community shared stories of past achievements and future goals. Through toasts and greetings, the event connected everyone, creating a sense of solidarity and hope to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Faculty and students roll up their sleeves to create rows of perfect dumplings. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

Two students entertain the crowd with a heartfelt musical performance. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

Two students entertain the crowd with a heartfelt musical performance. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]