The spring breeze brushes my face, and the drizzle is continuous. On the occasion of the Northern Emperor's birthday on the third day of the third lunar month, various places in Liwan District welcomed the annual "March 3rd" folk festival. Under the organization of the United Front Work Department and the Overseas Chinese Federation of Liwan District, overseas Chinese were invited to attend the 15th "Lizhiwan · New Xiguan" folk event - "March 3rd · Lizhiwan" (the long table banquet for the birthday of the Northern Emperor in Shangsi Spring), as well as the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the traditional Northern Emperor's birthday in Aokou and the establishment of the Aokou Community Longevity Park, and the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Aokou Overseas Chinese Home. Overseas Chinese leaders have experienced the rich and colorful folk culture of Liwan, allowing them to deeply feel the unique charm of their hometown. The "March 3rd" event of this year's "Thousand Year Folk Customs, Together for a Spring Feast" was held grandly in the Lizhi Bay Scenic Area. With four major chapters of "Pantang Township Love, Folk Customs Parade, Shangsi Outing, and Long Table Feast", it created a traditional cultural feast that transcends time and space for citizens and tourists. At the event, folk performances such as Dragon and Lion Offering Auspiciousness, Drunken Dragon Dance, and English Song and Dance were staged in rotation, showcasing the diversity and vitality of Lingnan culture. It is worth mentioning that this year's folk parade lineup has become more diversified, including the Pantang Dragon and Lion Team representing Guangzhou, especially the cultural symbols of Liwan, and the Cantonese Opera and Opera lineup, as well as folk cultural elements from cities in the Greater Bay Area such as Shenzhen and Zhongshan. This fully reflects Liwan District's efforts in promoting the high-quality integration and development of cultural and tourism industries. This year's long table banquet is inspired by the "spring water of Lihu Lake" to reconstruct the taste of Xiguan. The hundred meter banquet is set by the lake, and the traditional taste of Xiguan is complemented by the beautiful scenery of Liwan Lake. Along the 100 meter long corridor, overseas Chinese gather with their neighbors and guests to experience a series of traditional ceremonies such as uncovering pots, opening wine jars, toasting, and offering birthday buns, inheriting the traditional customs of "gathering relatives, business affairs, praying for a bountiful harvest, and ensuring peace". Overseas Chinese savor traditional Xiguan snacks and gather in the bay area to reminisce about local friendship. At the same time, during the traditional festival of the Northern Emperor's Birthday, the Aokou Community in Nanyuan Street, Liwan District held a traditional celebration event for the Northern Emperor's Birthday, attracting many overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and Macao compatriots to return home and participate. The longevity amusement park of Aokou Community, which has been established for 40 years, is not only the host venue for the birthday of the Northern Emperor and village celebrations on the third day of the third lunar month, but also the starting point for folk activities such as green picking, lion dance, and Northern Emperor parades. As the first community home for overseas Chinese in Liwan District, the Aokou Overseas Chinese Home has been serving the elderly and overseas Chinese community for 16 years, providing a demonstration sample for building a diversified service platform for overseas Chinese. The establishment of this venue has provided a fixed social gathering place for community elders, returning overseas Chinese and their families, as well as returning overseas Chinese. On the third day of March, many overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and Macao compatriots return to their hometowns to participate in the traditional Northern Emperor worship ceremony and Northern Emperor parade, pay respects to their ancestors and relatives, and gather with community members at dinners to reminisce about local feelings and friendships. An overseas Chinese leader who attended a village banquet sighed and said, "Every time I return to Liwan, I can feel the changes and development of my hometown, but what remains unchanged is the strong local sentiment and traditional culture. This' March 3rd 'event gives us overseas travelers the opportunity to experience the folk customs of our hometown up close, which is really meaningful. Cultural inheritance and new vitality.' March 3rd 'folk activities are not only a cultural card of Liwan District, but also an important carrier for the inheritance and development of Lingnan culture. Through this event, Liwan District not only showcases its rich historical and cultural heritage and unique folk customs, but also promotes the integrated development of cultural and tourism industries. The active participation of overseas Chinese has also injected new vitality into the inheritance and development of traditional culture. According to the relevant person in charge, in the future development, Liwan District will continue to explore historical and cultural resources, strengthen the construction of overseas Chinese homes, and use overseas Chinese as a bridge to promote community development. The "March 3rd" folk activities have become an influential and attractive cultural calling card in Liwan, injecting more cultural momentum into the economic and social development of Liwan District. This "Folk Customs March 3rd" event not only allowed overseas Chinese to appreciate the unique charm of Liwan, but also further deepened their sense of identity and belonging to their hometown culture. Liwan District will adopt a more open attitude and welcome more overseas Chinese to visit and witness the development and changes of their hometown together, and paint a beautiful future for Liwan. (New Society)