Lantern Festival celebrations bring joy to Jingjiang residents, expats

More than 200 residents gathered at the Jingjiang New Era Civilization Practice Center on Feb 8 to celebrate Lantern Festival, immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere.

An expat tries Chinese calligraphy at the Lantern Festival event. [Photo/ourjiangsu.com]

Traditional intangible cultural heritage activities such as bamboo weaving, clay figurines, and block printing sparked curiosity among attendees. Guided by skilled artisans, many residents eagerly tried their hand at these crafts. In the calligraphy section, members of the Jingjiang Calligraphy Association showcased their talent, writing festive-themed pieces while calligraphy enthusiasts joined in to pen their blessings. Meanwhile, in the tea art area, visitors enjoyed a moment of tranquility as they savored fragrant tea. At the hanfu experience booth, enthusiasts shared insights into the history and beauty of traditional Chinese attire.

Expats experience traditional Chinese clothing. [Photo/ourjiangsu.com]

One of the most popular activities among children was sugar painting, where the sweet aroma of melted sugar enhanced the holiday spirit. Traditional games such as pitch-pot and shuttlecock basketball brought joy and introduced children to ancient customs. The event also featured bilingual lantern riddles in Chinese and English, drawing excited participants to solve them together. 

Eight expatriates living in Jingjiang were also invited to join the festivities. They actively engaged in various cultural activities and visited the Yangtze River Culture Hall, where they explored Jingjiang's history and experienced the richness of Yangtze River culture firsthand.

Participants guess lantern riddles during the event. [Photo/ourjiangsu.com]