To welcome the arrival of 2026, Chinese communities across Southern California marked the New Year through a variety of meaningful traditions, including family reunions, gatherings with friends, and vibrant community celebrations. Among the many New Year’s Eve events, one stood out for its exceptional artistic quality and profound cultural significance: the Orange County Chinese New Year’s Eve Concert—also the 21st Cultural and Art Salon of the Zhou Ning Photography Museum, themed “Let Art Dialogue with Life.” The concert was held on the evening of December 31 at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Aliso Viejo.
More than a festive gathering, the event brought together Chinese artists, scholars, and representatives from cultural institutions throughout Southern California. With its internationally acclaimed performances and professional presentation, the concert became one of the most distinctive and spiritually uplifting highlights of the region’s New Year’s Eve celebrations within the Chinese community.
The evening opened with remarks by Zhou Ning, an internationally renowned photographer and Chairman of the East–West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation. In his speech, Zhou expressed his hope that the concert would serve not only as a stage for artistic expression, but also as a bridge for cultural exchange and spiritual dialogue. He emphasized the importance of enabling Chinese artists to use music and visual imagery to convey the warmth, depth, and vitality of Chinese culture to the broader mainstream society. As he noted, “Only when art truly integrates into life can culture sustain lasting vitality.” This philosophy became the guiding principle of the evening’s concert.
Zhang Xianghua, a member of the Committee of 100 and a prominent Chinese-American philanthropist, delivered remarks praising the remarkable talent and tireless dedication of the artists in attendance. He emphasized that Chinese-American artists, with their professionalism and global perspective, continually bring cultural vitality to local communities—“not only enriching the spiritual lives of community members but also showcasing to the world a more diverse and confident image of the Chinese people.”
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