The influence of western festive culture on the traditional culture in China: history and modernity

The paper analyzes the history of Western holidays in China, their transformation under the influence of Chinese traditional culture, determines their cultural meaning in modern China. Western culture began to penetrate strongly into China along with Christianity. The appearance of new religious beliefs and Western holidays such as Christmas in Chinese daily life is associated with the missionaries. Since the beginning of reforms and opening up, many Western holidays have entered the fabric of Chinese culture: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, All Saints’ Day, Fool’s Day, Mother’s Day. The author elaborates on the specific features of Christmas and Valentine’s Day, provides data that allows us to judge the cultural dynamics of Western holidays have become a part of Chinese national culture. China has a new image of Western holidays that have cultural meaning, customs and many distinctive features related to the Chinese traditions and national culture. The author concludes that Western holidays enrich the everyday life of Chinese people gradually becoming Chinese holidays.