China News Service, Guangzhou, February 3, Title: Teenagers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao experience “the taste of Guangfu in intangible cultural heritage”
China News Service reporter Cai Minjie
"On the twenty-fourth day of the year (the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, February 3 this year), we 'open the wok' (to pray for many happy events in the new year); on the twenty-eighth year, we 'wash away the filth' (general cleaning); on the thirtieth year of the year , 'Xinghua Street' (shopping in the flower street)..." Guangzhou people pay attention to the meanings during the New Year, and the meanings build a sense of ritual during the New Year. When the familiar proverbs of "Laoguang" are heard, the flavor of the new year is getting stronger.
Young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao experience the "Taste of the Guangfu New Year in Intangible Cultural Heritage". Photo courtesy of Guangzhou Yuexiu District People's Government
On the eve of the Spring Festival, young people from Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou gathered on Beijing Road in Guangzhou to experience the Cantonese New Year customs and culture among young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. From sharing and communication to immersive experience, they experienced the Cantonese New Year customs and culture together with laughter and laughter.
Young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao experience the "Taste of the Guangfu New Year in Intangible Cultural Heritage". Photo courtesy of Guangzhou Yuexiu District People's Government
"There are many intangible cultural heritages in Guangfu's annual customs. For example, 'Xinghua Street', as a traditional folk custom in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has been included in the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative project lists, and I brought Guangdong paper-cutting is also a treasure of Lingnan culture and art. Guangdong paper-cutting was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects in 2006." Lian Xiaohong, the inheritor of Guangzhou paper-cutting, explained the folk customs of "Walking Flower Street" and Guangzhou in an easy-to-understand way. The young people present listened with great interest to the paper-cutting culture. From time to time they raised their hands and asked: "When did Guangzhou paper-cutting originate?" "How did Guangzhou paper-cutting develop from ancient times to the present?"
In front of the paper-cutting table, young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao picked up the scissors in their hands and gave full play to their creativity. In the process of hands-on production and brain-innovation, they felt the charm of intangible cultural heritage at close range. Ordinary pieces of cardboard were cut under the scissors. It turned into cute little paper dragons while flying.
Young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao experience the "Taste of the Guangfu New Year in Intangible Cultural Heritage". Photo courtesy of Guangzhou Yuexiu District People's Government
“My Chinese dragon paper-cut is very beautiful.” Guan, a student from Macao, said that Guangzhou paper-cutting has been the carrier of Cantonese culture for more than 500 years. Through the activities, he learned more about Cantonese customs and culture. "When I return to Macau, I will teach my classmates how to make 'Chinese Dragon' paper-cuts and tell them that they have the opportunity to visit the West Lake Flower Market and the Guangfu Temple Fair."
"What kind of folk customs are there during the New Year in your hometown?" Faced with this topic, young people who are looking forward to the arrival of the Spring Festival have started chatting and sharing the New Year customs and culture of their hometown with their friends.
Liu, a classmate from Peizheng Middle School in Guangzhou, said: "My family buys New Year flowers every New Year. Grandma said that New Year flowers represent good intentions, kumquats mean good luck, peach blossoms mean grand exhibition, and orchids mean ' All your wishes come true', and the golden fruit means 'family peace'." Chen, a classmate from Hong Kong, continued: “There is also the custom of buying New Year flowers during the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. The elders also burn incense to pray for peace, success and prosperity in the new year.” Long, a student from Macao, said, “I feel very familiar and cordial after listening to everyone’s sharing. Macao also has the customs of thanking the stove, staying up late and visiting the flower market during the Chinese New Year.”
Young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao experience the "Taste of the Guangfu New Year in Intangible Cultural Heritage". Photo courtesy of Guangzhou Yuexiu District People's Government
"Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have similar customs and cultures, and young people have a lot of emotional resonance in the exchanges of customs in their hometowns. Through activities like today, young people understand that the three places have the same roots and the same customs and cultures, which further deepens their understanding of Lingnan culture and Cantonese culture. understanding and recognition of the government culture." said Zhou Yuduo, a youth affairs social worker.
Some experts believe that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are separated by a narrow strip of water and share the same cultural roots. The most important thing in carrying forward tradition is to uphold integrity and inherit it, and only then can there be innovation and development. The inheritance of New Year customs requires the older generation to continuously tell the stories to the young people, and then use the Internet, intangible cultural and creative development, animation elements, etc. to revitalize traditional New Year customs.
Guangfu New Year Customs is a representative project of intangible cultural heritage in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City. This year, Yuexiu District created a series of activities called "Taste of Guangfu for the Twelve Years". As one of the series of activities of the "Taste of Guangfu in the Intangible Cultural Heritage" series of activities for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao youths, the Cantonese New Year's Customs and Cultural Experience Activity for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao youths, through experiencing traditional folk customs, while Discover the flavor of the New Year in Guangfu, explore intangible cultural heritage treasures, and build an exchange platform for young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The shared cultural memories, folk customs and many precious cultural heritages allow young people in the Bay Area to feel the integration of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. (over)