On the evening of December 31, 2025, as cities around the world prepared for fireworks and countdown celebrations, INFO Guangdong offered a unique way to welcome the New Year through a concert. International residents in Guangdong were invited to enjoy the final night of 2025 with classical music performed by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Guangzhou Opera House.
The audience included expatriates from countries such as the Philippines and Russia, all of whom were fortunate winners of INFO Guangdong's ticket giveaway. For them, it was their first time welcoming the New Year in a concert hall, accompanied by Viennese music.
For Allen, who is from the Philippines and has lived in Guangdong for more than a decade, the experience felt almost dreamlike. Listening to the orchestra, he said, felt like "walking into a palace or a kingdom," describing the evening as a magnificent way to welcome the New Year.
Lina, originally from Russia and now living in Foshan, received her concert ticket on her birthday — a moment she described as especially meaningful. "The concert was amazing," she said. "I felt so warmed by the music and by this charming orchestra."
As the program moved from reflective works by Beethoven and Schubert to lively dance music by Offenbach and Johann Strauss Jr., the atmosphere in the hall gradually shifted. Audience members clapped together, followed the rhythm, and reacted with surprise and laughter — especially during the energetic Can-Can, an unexpected highlight for a New Year's Eve concert.
Beyond the music itself, the evening became a moment of cultural connection. Allen described the concert as a bridge between cultures, reflecting Guangdong's openness and diversity. "Guangzhou has become a cultural melting pot where people from different backgrounds feel welcomed and connected", he said.
At the turn of the year, INFO Guangdong invited participants to reflect on what they wished to express at this special moment. For Lina, the answer was her mother, who was far away. "New Year is a family celebration," she said, expressing hope that the coming year would allow her family to reunite.
Looking ahead to 2026, guests shared hopes not only for personal growth but also for the city they now call home. Many expressed their wish for Guangzhou to continue developing and to offer more cultural experiences like this.
As the music fades and a new year begins, INFO Guangdong looks forward to creating more opportunities like this, bringing people together through shared experiences. Follow us, and let the next gathering, the next concert, or the next surprise ticket become another moment worth remembering.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Cameraman: Li Fangwang
Video Editor: Liang Zijian
Cover: Liang Zijian
Photo: Li Fangwang
Editor: Hu Nan, Ou Xiaoming, James Campion, Shen He
