As the Lunar New Year's lanterns dimmed across Asia, the warmth of Spring Festival celebrations continued glowing in a Rotterdam suburb where the Van der Zhang family recently honored their dual heritage. This Dutch-Chinese household's 2026 festivities blended ancestral customs with Dutch influences, creating a unique cultural tapestry that resonates with global diaspora communities.
While maintaining traditional red envelope exchanges and reunion dinners featuring nian gao rice cakes, the family incorporated local elements like tulip centerpieces and stroopwafel desserts. 'We recite Dutch poetry after the jiaozi dumpling-making,' explained family matriarch Li Wei, who moved from the Chinese mainland in 2010. 'It's our children's way to connect both halves of their identity.'
This year's celebrations gained special significance as the family hosted their first community workshop, teaching neighbors traditional paper-cutting techniques while learning about Sinterklaas traditions in return. Such cross-cultural exchanges have become increasingly common in Europe's Chinese diaspora communities, with over 120 official Spring Festival events recorded across the Netherlands this February.
