Millions celebrate Burns Night and Chinese New Year on same day

The poetry of Scotland's bard crosses continents and has even been performed in Mandarin.

For the first time since 1944, Burns Night and Chinese New Year fall on the same day.

An estimated 9.5m people across the world are expected to attend a Burns Supper while more than two billion will gather to see in the Year of the Rat.

And while Burns Night and Chinese New Year stem from countries that are miles apart – it seems our traditions come much closer.

The poetry of Scotland’s bard has crossed continents. It focuses on the universal themes of love and friendship – and has even been performed in Mandarin.