Dragon dance sparks excitement in Fenghua
[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The dragon dance celebrations in Fenghua district, Ningbo, reached its peak on March 1, as the district hosted a lively cultural festival blending folk customs with vibrant performances, drawing crowds from near and far.
The festival was held to mark the traditional Chinese Longtaitou Festival, or Dragon-Head-Raising Festival, celebrated on the second day of the second lunar month.
The highlight of the festivities was the magnificent dragon parade, where 37 dragon teams from Fenghua brought the streets to life. The performers, skillfully maneuvering the cloth dragons with the rhythmic beating of drums, created a thrilling sight. The dragons, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity, wove through the streets, capturing the attention of onlookers.
"It was my first time seeing such a grand dragon dance, and the energy was electrifying," said Han Yuying, a visitor from neighboring Yuyao, a county-level city in Ningbo.
An international dragon dance team, made up of students from countries such as Morocco, Yemen, and Nepal, added a unique touch to the parade. They danced with enthusiasm, showing the universal appeal of this Chinese tradition.
Ahmed Abdulelah, a student from Yemen, said that dancing with the dragon was fun and that he felt the charm of China's culture.
The festival also included a range of performances such as traditional dances, with Guangdong's Yingge dance adding a bold, energetic contrast to the graceful dragon movements. The fusion of performances created a captivating atmosphere, with the audience cheering along.
Beyond the performances, the festival featured a bustling folk market, where visitors tried local delicacies, traditional crafts, and cultural activities, marking the beginning of spring with their best wishes.
As night fell, the celebrations continued with mesmerizing light shows, water performances, and fireworks that lit up the sky.
From Feb 28 to March 2, the festival celebrated the cultural significance of Longtaitou Festival and emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing these customs for future generations.
