The 17th Zhongyuan (Hebi) Folk Culture Festival in Xunxian county, Central China's Henan Province Photo: Global Times Online

The 17th Zhongyuan (Hebi) Folk Culture Festival kicked off with great fanfare in Xunxian, an ancient county in Central China's Henan Province, on January 15, 2025, which is the 16th day of the 12th lunar month in the Year of the Dragon. 

The festival also came after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year celebration, as part of its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 4, 2024.

The opening ceremony featured lion dances and bamboo horse performances, setting the stage for a vibrant cultural showcase. The host, embodying the historical figure Zigong, one disciple of Confucius, introduced the guests. Traditional folk performances drew consistent applause from the audiences. 

The 17th Zhongyuan (Hebi) Folk Culture Festival in Xunxian county, Central China's Henan Province Photo: Global Times Online

Following the opening ceremony, visitors immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere at the Xunxian Ancient City and Dapi Mountain, as the rich aromas of the Spring Festival permeated the air, and local delicacies like Liyangzi steamed buns were abundant, highlighting Xunxian's enduring culinary traditions. 

The Hanlin Banquet at the Hanlin Mansion provided guests with a communal dining experience inspired by the Spring and Autumn Period. Meanwhile, the array of cultural products, including clay sculptures, impressed visitors with their traditional artistry.

Xunxian's Spring Festival Temple Fair, distinctive for its traditional practices like the Spring Festival market, folk performances, temple fairs and lantern fairs, was prominently featured in the nomination document. 

This year's Traditional Folk Culture Festival continued to use the theme of "Hometown Henan – Spring Festival in Xunxian." In addition to the opening ceremony, Xunxian, as a key link in the nomination of the Spring Festival and the main venue for the festival, has arranged 24 special cultural tourism activities. 

The activities include performances such as Ancient City Drama, Liyang Folk Dance Passion, the Electronic Bonfire Party and the Youth Talent Show. They also include seven new consumption scenarios, including Hanlin Banquet at the Hanlin Mansion, Romance in the Ancient City, and the Time Memory Museum. There are also six major folk activities at various locations, enhancing the Spring Festival experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Xunxian, historically known as Liyang, earned the designation of National Historical and Cultural City from the State Council in 1994, making it the only county-level city in Henan to receive such a title. The area boasts a rich cultural tapestry, featuring the historic Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and numerous protected historical sites and intangible cultural heritage projects. 

The 1700-year-old Spring Festival Temple Fair in Xunxian is famed as the "First Great Ancient Temple Fair of Northern China," recognized by scholars as a cultural marvel and hallmark of Henan's folk traditions.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Tong Lin