Page 13 - Yunnan Tourism Culture Times (96)

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CITY LIFE | 城事

Yunnan Daily □ 云南日报

Riddle-solving, dumpling-making, and

other traditional customs

猜灯谜做汤圆，民俗体验精彩纷呈

On the evening of the Lantern Festival, ees could also sample yuanxiao dumplings
a lantern show took place at the Confucius shaped like cartoon characters, along with
Temple in Kunming, offering the public a Chinese pastries and snacks. These varied ac-
chance to engage in a variety of cultural tivities provided everyone with an opportunity
activities like solving riddles, playing pitch- to explore the preservation and development
pot games, crafting lanterns, painting fans, of traditional culture.
and rolling iron hoops. An intriguing aspect Dragon and lion dances took place at
was a poem recitation game where partici- the “First Town of Colorful Yunnan” in
pants took turns, and a knowledge quiz was Kunming, delighting the public with the
organized to introduce the rich traditional allure of traditional sports. A total of 33
Chinese culture to all attendees. teams, with close to 400 performers, took
During the Lantern Festival, a wide range part in the dragon and lion dances. During
of intangible cultural heritage items were the parade, majestic dragons and auspicious
displayed at the Confucius Temple, including lions gracefully moved through the streets,
variegated copperware, leather carving, em- conveying best wishes to the enthusiastic
broidery, stoneware made with twistable clay crowds. In the dance performances, a va-
bodies, and tile cats. In the zone of creative riety of dragons swayed to the rhythm of
works, visitors had the chance to engage with drumbeats and lively music, showcasing
3D printing of dragons, Han Chinese attire impressive acrobatics. The skillful lion
and hair accessories, artistic photography, chil- dancers also garnered enthusiastic applause
dren’s artwork, and plant handicrafts. Attend- and cheers from the audience.

Intangible cultural heritages underscore

the wealth of cultural diversity

赏非遗品年味，多元文化绽放魅力

An exhibition of intangible cultural herit- Mizhi Town, Midu County, Dali Prefec-
age was held at Jiandao Square in Zhaotong ture, kicked off early in the morning. As
Ancient Town, showcasing provincial items dawn broke, lantern opera singers, dancers,
like paper god rubbing and mung bean cake performers, and onlookers filled this town
making, as well as prefectural heritage items along the Ancient Tea-Horse Road in west-
such as spun sugar making, Shushi silverware ern Yunnan to the brim. Every street and
smelting and forging, moon lute crafting, and alleyway was adorned with lanterns, set-
Dousha paper cutting. The event drew a large ting a festive scene. A plethora of ongoing
crowd, eager to observe and even participate lantern-related activities, including lantern
in these traditional practices. shows, opera performances, and dragon and
Zhizuo Village in Yongren County, Chux- lion dances, heightened the celebratory at-
iong City hosted a vibrant traditional costume mosphere to its peak.
festival. Revelers adorned in colorful attire The Mizhi Lantern Festival Fair, also
sang, danced, and enjoyed themselves. This dubbed the “Oriental Lantern Carnival”, is a
festival, a significant cultural event during time-honored folk event with a history span-
the Spring Festival season, boasts a history of ning over 300 years. It stands as the largest
over 1,350 years in Yongren County. Against and most authentic lantern festival fair in
the backdrop of lively music from the gourd China. Eighteen lantern teams hailing from 18
mouth organ, groups of girls, boys, and men villages took part in the festivities, showcasing
took the stage, spreading warmth and joy to the talent of over 6,000 performers.
all spectators in attendance. During the Lantern Festival Fair, an
The Central Cultural Square of Puer City Intangible Cultural Heritage Bazaar was
buzzed with excitement as the Popular Cul- established on the ancient street in Mizhi
tural Festival kicked off. The event featured Town, showcasing 18 notable intangible
a variety of activities including a cultural cultural heritages from Midu County. These
show, poetry recitations, a lantern riddle included the unique Midu-style ferment-
fair, a calligraphy and painting exhibition, ed pork shaped like sliced trotters, Midu-
a cultural and creative products exhibition, style yellow bean starch sheets, traditional
and an intangible cultural heritage exhi- costumes of the Yi people, and the art of
bition. The stalls at the intangible cultural crafting paper lanterns. Skilled inheritors of
heritage bazaar were particularly popular, these traditions were present to demonstrate
showcasing Puer’s unique products such as and explain their crafts on-site. Visitors also
the exquisite Wa people’s brocades, Zhe- had the opportunity to sample local deli-
nyuan black pottery, ethnic embroidery, and cacies, including the Mizhi-style tofu feast
silverware. This fusion of intangible cul- and yuanxiao dumplings. Additionally, they
tural heritage, folk culture, and traditional could explore cultural and creative shops
festivals created a one-of-a-kind celebration or enjoy the Lantern Festival cultural and
for the public during the Lantern Festival. artistic gala, creating a delightful and unfor-
The Lantern Festival celebrations in gettable Lantern Festival experience.