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A multitude of festivals are an indispensable part of the Chinese culture based upon a profound history and abundant customs, present today. They reflect the Chinese ethical and religious state of mind. The most prominent national festivals are: Spring Festival – is the most important, traditional festivity. It is celebrated on the first day of the year, constituted by the Chinese lunar calendar and marks the beginning of the New Year. On the eve, called “Chuxi” in Chinese, great family gatherings are arranged. All family members sit together, eat and chat and await the arrival of the New Year. Shortly before 0 h the fireworks start to greet the New Year. The following morning it is custom to visit each other, to play the “lion dance” or to stroll through the flower markets etc.
Lantern / Lampion Festival – is celebrated in the evening of the 15th day of the first lunar month. Streets, narrow lanes and places are decorated with an array of different, festive lanterns. After the especially delicious meal is eaten – round, sweet flour dumplings from swelled rice flour stand for the feeling of togetherness – the people go out to enjoy the exciting nightlife or to play the letter puzzle under the lanterns. Festival of the Pure Brightness – this fest is celebrated on the day of the pure brightness in spring and is one of 24 designations of the altitude of the sun. During this day excursions are made, people pray to their ancestors and play traditional games like kite flying and tug-of-war. Dragon Boat Festival – is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. On this day all over Chinese people eat “Zongzi”, pyramid shaped flour dumplings made of gluten containing rice, participate in dragon boat races, some commemorate also Qu Yuans, a patriotic poet, who lived during the age of the “The Warring States Period” (476 B. C. – 221 B.C. ). Qixi – takes place at the 7th evening of the 7th lunar month, the time also, when the cowherd and the spinning girl like to meet, once a year. One looks up to the Milky Way and abroad river, which separates the two lovers and all brindled magpies are asked to help, to build a bridge over the river to prepare the annual lover’s reunion. That’s the Chinese Valentine’s Day. Middle of Fall/Autumn – happens on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. At this evening all family members sit together, eating moon pie and enjoy with this symbolic act the beautiful, round, free and bright moon, together. Chongyang – Winter Solstice: Proclamation of the cold season. The Chinese belief, if they eat warm flour dumplings in this particular day, they shall endure the bitterly cold winter to come. |
