China News Service, Jiaxing, June 3 (Zhang Yudi) "I have been in Jiaxing for nearly 20 years. Every year on the Dragon Boat Festival, I miss the dumplings made by my mother when I was a child." Taiwan compatriot Lv Xuanqing said that in her opinion, making dumplings on the Dragon Boat Festival is not only a It is a traditional custom and an important carrier to enhance the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

　　On June 3, when the Dragon Boat Festival was coming, the 2022 Jiaxing Dragon Boat Festival Folk Culture Festival was held at the Wufangzhai Headquarters Building in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. 40 Taiwanese compatriots and Taiwanese participated.

The event has been held in Jiaxing for fifteen years.

　　"Three two one, start!" With the host's order, the contestants quickly began to fold the zongzi leaves, stuffing, compacting, sealing, and bundling... all in one go.

　　"This is the eighth year I participated in the rice dumpling competition in Jiaxing. This year, I wrapped 14 rice dumplings." After the competition, Lu Xuanqing, who was carrying a large bag of rice dumplings, said with satisfaction.

Photo by Lu Xuanqing wrapping zongzi with hanging thread by Zhang Yudi

　　Twenty years ago, Lu Xuanqing came to Jiaxing from Taiwan with her husband to start a business.

In her spare time, she learned how to make zongzi with her sister who also came from Taiwan.

She still remembers that when Jiaxing participated in the rice dumpling competition for the first time, she wrapped 10 rice dumplings.

　　"I like to participate in such folk activities." Lu Xuanqing admitted that the living environment of compatriots on both sides of the strait is not the same. Through the holding of traditional folk activities, they can communicate with each other more, so that both sides can understand each other better.

　　Lu Xuanqing believes that whether in the mainland or in Taiwan, people eat rice dumplings, race dragon boats, make sachets, and various folk activities.

　　"In terms of the method of wrapping the rice dumplings, Taiwanese rice dumplings and Jiaxing rice dumplings are slightly different. After we wrap them, we will connect them with threads and hang them into a string, which means good luck will come one after another." Lu Xuanqing said.

The soon-to-be-wrapped dumplings are photographed by Zhang Yudi

　　Lu Xuanqing introduced that in the selection of fillings, Taiwanese dumplings will add glutinous rice, peanuts and marinated pork belly.

"The peanuts will be soaked in water the night before and put in the freezer, so that the peanuts in the cooked rice dumplings will be crispy and fragrant."

　　"When I was a child, my mother would hang up a rope to wrap zongzi every year on the Dragon Boat Festival, and we waited for the zongzi to come out of the pot." Lu Xuanqing recalled that the feeling of anticipation is still fresh in his memory.

　　Although they have lived in the mainland for nearly 20 years, Lu Xuanqing and her husband still eat rice dumplings with Taiwanese taste.

And their son, who was born in Jiaxing, likes to eat Jiaxing-flavored meat dumplings.

Every year on the Dragon Boat Festival, Lu Xuanqing's family makes two kinds of zongzi with different flavors.

　　"My son is in the first year of high school this year. On weekdays, the school will organize publicity activities about folk culture. During traditional festivals, they will also let them explore and understand the customs of these festivals." Lu Xuanqing said.

　　In previous years, Lu Xuanqing would often bring his son back to Taiwan to experience the differences and similarities in the customs and habits of the two places.

In the past two years, due to the impact of epidemic prevention and control, they have not gone back for a long time.

"I hope the epidemic will end this year. During the summer vacation, I want to take my son back to Taiwan to have a look." Lu Xuanqing said.

(Finish)