China News Service, Meizhou Island, Fujian, May 4 (Lin Chunyin, Zhou Jianguo) 4th (March 23rd of the lunar calendar), on the 1061 anniversary of Mazu’s birth, the "Hometown of Mazu" Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian, held the Spring Festival of Xin Chou on Mazu Ceremony commemorative activities.
Nearly 10,000 representatives of Mazu temples at home and abroad and people from all walks of life participated in the grand event.
On May 4, a spring ceremony to commemorate the 1061 anniversary of Mazu’s birth was held on Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian, the "Hometown of Mazu."
Photo by Cai Hao
At 10:30 that day, Lin Zhaoshu, former chairman of the Chinese Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and former vice chairman of the Chinese Mazu Cultural Exchange Association, announced the opening of the event.
The drums were beaten, the salute was blasted, and the Divine Comedy was played in the audience. Representatives of the believers held incense and prayed for national peace and peace.
Amid the sound of drum music, boys and girls danced in a dance.
Seven 25-meter-long colorful ribbons symbolize the "Maritime Silk Road", flocking to the golden statue of Mazu, implying the perfect integration of marine culture and Mazu culture.
Liu Jianyang, Secretary of the Putian Municipal Party Committee of the Communist Party of China, said in a speech that Putian will take the Mazu’s birthday commemorative ceremony as an opportunity to carefully protect the precious natural ecological resources of Meizhou Island, consolidate and upgrade the achievements of the national 5A-level tourist attractions, optimize and upgrade the cultural tourism industry, and build Meizhou Island. Become a more beautiful and charming international tourist destination.
In his speech, Li Zhenghong, chairman of the National Taiwan Compatriots Investment Enterprise Association, cited the various deeds of the temples on both sides of the strait in fighting the epidemic, stating that "it is the long-standing and continuous relationship of Mazu that has allowed the blood relationship of compatriots on both sides of the strait to continue and strengthen."
Representatives of dozens of Mazu temples and Mazu cultural institutions from Malaysia, Australia, Spain, Vietnam, France, and Taiwan have used videos to pray for Mazu’s blessings.
Yan Qingbiao, chairman of Zhenlan Palace in Taichung, Taiwan, Zheng Mingkun, chairman of Taiwan’s Mazu Friendship Association, and He Dahuang, chairman of Fengtian Palace in Xingang, Chiayi, Taiwan, prayed through video for the early end of the epidemic and the restoration of cross-strait cultural exchanges.
Zheng Bixiang, the head of Zizhu Church in Muar, Malaysia, said: "Mazu blesses the country and the people, the weather is smooth, and the world is free from disasters."
Lin Jinzan, chairman of the board of directors of Mazu Temple in Meizhou, said that the ancestral temple will take the initiative to connect with the “Belt and Road” initiative, continue to carry forward the Mazu culture, and promote the friendship and exchanges of Mazu believers at home and abroad.
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