Amid snow, lanterns and laughter, the pandas once again demonstrated how cultural exchange can flourish even in winter, warming hearts across the borders of China and Russia.

MOSCOW, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Snowflakes drifted softly through the winter air as laughter and the rapid clicks of cameras echoed across Moscow Zoo. Holding a little boy's hand and smiling, a local resident who gave her name as Ivanova said they had made panda masks together at home before coming to the zoo to celebrate China's Spring Festival with the beloved animals.

"We made panda masks together at home, and we came to the zoo to celebrate the festival with the pandas," she said.

Crowds gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, alongside giant pandas, the city's most beloved residents. "Since the pandas arrived in Moscow, we've learned so much more about Chinese traditions and culture," she said.

During celebrations of the Year of the Horse, festive cheer spread across Moscow. The zoo prepared special surprises for the panda family: a horse-shaped toy made of bamboo, delicious fruits on trees and a colorful fruit "holiday cake" for young panda Katyusha.

Alexander Vervalid, chief animal keeper of the zoo's China Animal Department, said with a smile, "For pandas, every day is a holiday."

A FESTIVAL BEYOND BORDERS

Across the zoo grounds, visitors embraced the festival. Young women wore black-and-white scarves embroidered with panda motifs, children sported fluffy "ears" on their hats, and families painted panda-style eye circles on their faces.

The zoo's Spring Festival activity, which opened on Feb. 21 and runs through March 1, features dragon dances, handicraft workshops, traditional costume experiences and educational lectures. According to zoo director Svetlana Akulova, hosting Chinese New Year celebrations has gradually become a cherished tradition.

"Moscow Zoo has become a bridge of friendship between Russia and China," she said during the opening ceremony, noting that the pandas Ruyi, Dingding and their daughter Katyusha symbolize that bond.

Male panda Ruyi and female panda Dingding arrived in April 2019. Their daughter Katyusha, born in August 2023, marks the first giant panda ever born in Russia.

The zoo is currently constructing a new, dedicated pavilion for this young panda, she said, noting that the house covers more than 2,000 square meters and is designed to replicate the species' natural habitat in southwestern China's Sichuan Province.

"We want to create a kingdom for Katyusha, where she can live like a princess," Akulova told Xinhua.

She also recalled the early preparations for the pandas' arrival, when veterinarians, keepers and zoologists traveled to China to learn proper care techniques. "Even I learned how to fold bamboo," she said with a laugh.

PANDAS AS CULTURAL AMBASSADORS

For many visitors, the pandas represent far more than animals. They are living symbols of cultural exchange.

Dressed in a panda costume, Moscow resident Olya watched Katyusha enjoy her frozen fruit cake made from ice, oranges and apples. "Pandas are very important in Moscow," she said. "What's amazing is that even tourists from far away know each panda's story."

Another visitor in panda clothes, Timur, reflected on their universal appeal. "Everyone loves pandas! No one would refuse pandas because they're so cute," he said. "They may look a bit clumsy, but that clumsiness is exactly what makes them even more charming," he added.

The panda family has also become a must-see attraction for international visitors. Wu Nan, a Chinese tourist from Shenzhen, traveled to Russia visa-free with her family earlier this month, making sure to stop in Moscow during the Spring Festival period.

"I've followed Katyusha online in China," Wu said. "When I come to Moscow, I have to see her ... Seeing the pandas living so well makes me very happy."

Akulova noted that cooperation between Moscow Zoo and its Chinese partners has continued to deepen, extending beyond giant pandas to include conservation efforts involving Siberian tigers and potential collaboration on golden snub-nosed monkeys.

"We hope the monkeys can come to Moscow soon and become stars just like the pandas," she said.

Celebrating the Spring Festival is a good chance to exchange culture and deepen the friendship between Russia and China, with an increasing number of people participating each year, she said.

As lanterns and red ribbons adorned the venue, Akulova expressed her hope for the year ahead, wishing everyone success, happiness and the courage to move forward.

Amid snow, lanterns and laughter, the pandas once again demonstrated how cultural exchange can flourish even in winter, warming hearts across the borders of China and Russia.