Local Lantern Festival activities in China

妖妖UID: 149770

CCTV.COM   2004-02-06 10:02:44

  In addition to traditional lantern festivities, other celebrations unique to different parts of China are being held. The drum shows of Shanxi province and the Qilin dance in Guangdong province are two of the best known.

    The drum dance is a traditional Lantern Festival activity in northwest China's Shanxi province. It is believed to have originated around 2,000 years ago. In the past, Shanxi villagers have used the drum dance to pray for favorable weather, a successful harvest and a fulfilling life. These days it's a recreational activity popular with both adults and children.

    The Qilin Dance, or Unicorn Dance, represents prosperity, peace and health. Qilin dances have been performed in Guangdong's Zhongshan city since Ming Dynasty, more than 600 years ago. On Feb.5, a Qilin dance titled "Qilin Celebrating the Prosperous Society" was performed.

妖妖UID: 149770

CCTV.COM   2004-02-06 10:02:17

   People in China have hardly had a chance to finish digesting their feasts from the Spring Festival holidays, but already they're tucking into more festive snacks on Feb.5, sweet dumplings for the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. But eating isn't the only thing people do at this time, enjoying lanterns at night is another tradition on the night of the New Year's first full－moon.

    With this year's first full－moon hanging in the dark sky, the lanterns are lit up to echo its light. The tradition of lighting lanterns started in the Han Dynasty some 2,000 years ago, and at night people walk through the streets enjoying the lanterns to wish happiness for the whole year.

    In the Tang and Song dynasties, lantern celebrations were held on a very large scale. As time went on, more and more celebrations were added to the festival, like letting off firecrackers, cracking lantern riddles and performing dragon and lion dances.

    The lanterns on show this year are from Tianjin, which is famous for the mellowness of its folk art. The exquisitely designed and decorated lanterns tell the fairy tales, and culture and history of China, attracting young and old alike.

    Following the ancient tradition, a group of old people put on festive clothes and dance yangko on the square. Everyone's face reflects the celebrated colors of the lanterns, and the deafening sound of gongs and drums seems to want to spread the enthusiasm across the whole country.

妖妖UID: 149770

CCTV.COM   2004-02-06 10:02:16   

    And beyond Beijing, the Lantern Festival was celebrated with as much enthusiasm all across the country. Millions of lanterns lit up the night around China.

    As night's curtain fell on the ancient city of Xi'an, the main street started buzzing with thousands of citizens and more than 80,000 lanterns. The dark sky was also lit up with brilliant fireworks.

    And in the city of Wuhan, residents picked their way through dazzling stores packed with elaborate festival lanterns. Available in all different styles and colors, fitted with a light or a candle, hand－made or not, there's a lantern for everyone here.

    Heading northeast to Shenyang city, thousands of citizens flocked to Beiling Park, the city's largest park, to enjoy the Lantern Festival. Wandering amongst the dazzling lanterns, visitors were busy snapping away with their cameras.

    And in Shanghai, a proud Li Mengsheng showed off his self－made lantern, a two－meter－diameter palace lantern adorned with elaborate paper cuts.