Related News
Resurrecting the splendor of ancestry
By Tan Weiyun |
May 17, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE modern world looks ever forward, but some in the Songjiang District are trying to ensure that the district's 1,200-year history doesn't get lost in the process.
Groups like the local Phoenix Club are actively promoting ancient culture and traditions, and having some success.
On Labor's Day earlier this month, Zuibai Pond Park hosted an Ancient Chinese Robes Festival, drawing a host of young people who walked the pathways in colorful silk garb, with the distinctive open lapels and long sleeves of yore.
On April 13, to the equal delight of onlookers, more than 100 young people wearing ancient garments and hats gathered in the same park to celebrate the Shang Si Festival, an almost forgotten ritual of the Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) held to pray for good health.
In Fangta Park, during major rituals, dragon dances are staged, and children recite Confucian classics aloud and play the ancient game of touhu.
"Touhu was a game often played during feasts and festivals," said Niu Geng, director of the Phoenix Club, which has been promoting ancient culture for more than three years.
"Participants compete throwing by arrows into a pot some distance away," she said. "In olden days, children would worship Confucius in the temple by painting a red mole between the eyebrows. Sadly these traditions are dying out nowadays, but I'm happy to see they are starting to thrive again in Songjiang."
Lessons in ancient cooking methods and folk art handicrafts were also on offer. Visitors could learn how to cook rice balls, make sauces and wrap dumplings. Some tried their hand at making paper-cuts and bead bracelets.
The Mazu Cultural and Food Gala was another highlight this month, marking the 1053rd birthday of the goddess Mazu.
Folk culture center
A wide array of local delicacies to tempt any gourmet's taste buds were on offer at Fangta Park ,including pineapple cake, oyster egg pie, danzai noodles, dumpling soup and barbecued meats.
"The last time I ate tanghua (a snack of malt sugar and dough, shaped into animals and figurines) was 20 years ago," said Zhang Zhenming, 35, who brought his 4-year-old son to the gala. "I still remember that big sugar-coated dragon I ate when I was small."
The Fangta park is in the process of upgrading itself into a folk cultural center to host traditional festivals such as the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Songjiang Chenghuang Temple God Li Daiwen Worship, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Double Ninth Festival.
Indeed, traditional cultural institutions are mushrooming in the district. Classes in guqin, a zither-like instrument, Confucian classics, Chinese ink painting and calligraphy and the game of go are offered to local residents.
Yuan Hejia, 28, attends a cultural gathering in his local community center at 8pm every day.
"We sit together and recite classic works and poems," he said. "It is not only a place for us to learn something old but also a place where busy urban people can share a moment of tranquility. The group includes everyone from three-year-old kids to people over 70."
Around the Dragon Boat Festival on June 12 this year, a dragon boat race will be held in Songjiang.
Groups like the local Phoenix Club are actively promoting ancient culture and traditions, and having some success.
On Labor's Day earlier this month, Zuibai Pond Park hosted an Ancient Chinese Robes Festival, drawing a host of young people who walked the pathways in colorful silk garb, with the distinctive open lapels and long sleeves of yore.
On April 13, to the equal delight of onlookers, more than 100 young people wearing ancient garments and hats gathered in the same park to celebrate the Shang Si Festival, an almost forgotten ritual of the Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) held to pray for good health.
In Fangta Park, during major rituals, dragon dances are staged, and children recite Confucian classics aloud and play the ancient game of touhu.
"Touhu was a game often played during feasts and festivals," said Niu Geng, director of the Phoenix Club, which has been promoting ancient culture for more than three years.
"Participants compete throwing by arrows into a pot some distance away," she said. "In olden days, children would worship Confucius in the temple by painting a red mole between the eyebrows. Sadly these traditions are dying out nowadays, but I'm happy to see they are starting to thrive again in Songjiang."
Lessons in ancient cooking methods and folk art handicrafts were also on offer. Visitors could learn how to cook rice balls, make sauces and wrap dumplings. Some tried their hand at making paper-cuts and bead bracelets.
The Mazu Cultural and Food Gala was another highlight this month, marking the 1053rd birthday of the goddess Mazu.
Folk culture center
A wide array of local delicacies to tempt any gourmet's taste buds were on offer at Fangta Park ,including pineapple cake, oyster egg pie, danzai noodles, dumpling soup and barbecued meats.
"The last time I ate tanghua (a snack of malt sugar and dough, shaped into animals and figurines) was 20 years ago," said Zhang Zhenming, 35, who brought his 4-year-old son to the gala. "I still remember that big sugar-coated dragon I ate when I was small."
The Fangta park is in the process of upgrading itself into a folk cultural center to host traditional festivals such as the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Songjiang Chenghuang Temple God Li Daiwen Worship, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Double Ninth Festival.
Indeed, traditional cultural institutions are mushrooming in the district. Classes in guqin, a zither-like instrument, Confucian classics, Chinese ink painting and calligraphy and the game of go are offered to local residents.
Yuan Hejia, 28, attends a cultural gathering in his local community center at 8pm every day.
"We sit together and recite classic works and poems," he said. "It is not only a place for us to learn something old but also a place where busy urban people can share a moment of tranquility. The group includes everyone from three-year-old kids to people over 70."
Around the Dragon Boat Festival on June 12 this year, a dragon boat race will be held in Songjiang.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
