[Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Special Line] Taiwan compatriots taste "Fu Porridge" during Fuzhou's "Aojiu Festival" and the aroma of porridge fills the ancient alleys
China News Service, Fuzhou, March 9th (Ye Qiuyun) Glutinous rice, brown sugar, peanuts, red beans, water chestnuts, longan... On the 9th, it is the 29th day of the first lunar month, and Fuzhou welcomes the annual Aojiu Festival. The Taiwanese Guild Hall in the lane is filled with the rich aroma of porridge. The "Aojiu Festival" social event for Taiwanese compatriots from the Taiwan Federation in Fuzhou City was held here. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait tasted "Aojiu porridge" together.
On March 9th, the 29th day of the first lunar month, Fuzhou ushered in the annual "Aojiu Festival". The "Aojiu Festival" social event for Taiwan compatriots from the Fuzhou Taiwan Federation was held at the Taiwan Association Hall located in Sanfangqixiang, Fuzhou. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait taste "Aojiu porridge" together.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
"I am now in a foreign land, tasting this bowl of 'Aojiu Porridge', and starting to miss my relatives in Taipei." "Post-90s" Taiwanese youth Wu Zixuan just "went west" to the mainland this year to pursue his dream, and tasted it with so many old people." "Blessed Porridge" evoked his longing for home.
Wu Zixuan told reporters that she had never heard of the "Aojiu Festival" before and deliberately searched for information related to the "Aojiu Festival" on the Internet before participating in the event.
"I just learned that this is a unique festival in Fuzhou. It expresses filial piety and respect for the elders, which is very meaningful. I want to shoot some materials and publish them on the Internet to let more people know about this festival."
As Wu Zixuan said, "Yujiu Festival", also known as "Filial Piety Festival", is a unique traditional folk festival in Fuzhou with a history of more than 400 years.
On the 29th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, every household will cook "Aojiu porridge" to offer sacrifices to ancestors or give it to the elders in the family to wish for peace, health and long life.
In 2022, Fuzhou's "Aojiu Festival" custom was selected into the seventh batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage representative projects in Fujian Province.
"'Aojiu porridge' is the nostalgic memory of Fuzhou people outside, and it is the taste of home. When we were in Taiwan, we Fuzhou people would get together to cook 'Aojiu porridge.'" You Yulan, whose ancestral home is Fuzhou, Fujian, married to Taiwan I have been engaged in the catering industry in Taiwan for decades.
When she was 61 years old, she chose to return to Fuzhou to live. Now, at the age of 74, she is full of praise for Fuzhou's culture of loving and respecting the elderly.
"Hello grandma, this is the 'Aojiu porridge' for you. I wish you health and longevity." Weng Xiaoling, a 70-year-old Taiwanese compatriot, took the "Aojiu porridge" from the volunteers. Beside her, her sister Weng Xiaolong , Weng Xiaowan and Weng Xiaowan were also tasting "Aojiu porridge". The three sisters talked and laughed, which was very warm.
"Thank you for your concern and love for us old Taiwan compatriots. We are very touched."
On March 9, the three sisters Weng Xiaoling (first from left) took a group photo at the Fuzhou Taiwan Association.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
"In the past, every time during this festival, my mother would give my grandmother 'Aojiu porridge'. Later, I gave it to my parents, and now my daughter gives it to me. This tradition is passed down from generation to generation in every household in Fuzhou. ." Amid the rich aroma of porridge, 75-year-old Zhang Shujuan said.
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