Millions of tourists "travel to Tongji" to revitalize Lingnan culture
2024-02-27
The lantern is like a fire tree, shining brightly with a hundred branches. What is it that has enabled nearly a million people to come together and help the elderly and children cross a bridge? What is it that allows a custom to penetrate over 300 years of historical time and space, and continue to be passed down? Tongji Bridge in Foshan on Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) is a jungle of windmills. The spring breeze brushes over the bridge, and the rotating blades of the windmill flash out a flowing river of light. Time flies like a journey, white horses pass by, where is the next stop? No matter how long you drift in the sea of people, the people of Foshan will always have that bridge in their hearts, the most beautiful appearance of their hometown, and the forever bright you. From New Year's Eve to Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival), men and women immersed in the festival once again embarked on an unknown journey. The east wind blooms flowers and trees at night. The moon is like jade, and people are like paintings. This flavor should be priceless. "When you travel through Tongji, there is no closure". "When you look down, you can see it like a candle dragon shining in the dark. When you look up, you can see it as if you are wearing red clouds and learn from it." In Foshan, Guangdong, on the night of Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival), the brightly lit Tongji Bridge ushered in the busiest time of the year. Nearly a million people walked here, holding a "windmill" and parading on the Tongji Bridge, silently reciting "Tongji, no shelter (no worries)", praying for good luck to accompany them. "My family has been running smoothly for over 30 years, and when the windmill starts spinning, it becomes a 'windmill', so it comes every year," said Mr. Yao, a local from Foshan, pointing to the windmill in his daughter's hand. Since 9 am on the Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) Festival, there has been an endless stream of pedestrians on the four routes of "Xingtongji" this year. On a continuous small stall about one kilometer away from Tongji Bridge, there are shining windmills and lettuce tied with red envelopes; The dragon dance, lion dance, kung fu, and Cantonese opera performances along the way attracted bursts of applause... Red banners, red lanterns, and red necklaces were filled with a joyful and festive atmosphere. The ancient Tongji Bridge is one of the earliest bridges built in Foshan, built during the Tianqi period of the Ming Dynasty. The name of the bridge means "the bridge is named after Tongji, and it must be connected before there is assistance" and "it is named after justice, and it is named after Hengtun". Later on, the custom of "promoting mutual aid" gradually formed. "With a history of more than 300 years, 'Traveling to Tongji' is the most distinctive and influential Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) Festival activity in the region, and it is also a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong." Liu Fang, director of the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Chancheng District, Foshan City, said that every Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival), every household walks across the Tongji Bridge from north to south with lettuce, windmills, wind chimes, etc., which means eliminating worries and keeping the wind and water flowing smoothly. From family prayers to national public welfare, "Xing Tong Ji" has gained a richer inheritance in the new era. At the "Xingtongji" site, red charity donation boxes can be seen from time to time, and charity volunteers carrying donation bags can be seen every few meters on the Tongji Bridge. The person in charge of the Foshan Civilization Office told reporters that since 2012, elements of public welfare and charity have been integrated into the traditional customs of "travel and assistance", becoming a characteristic of Foshan culture. The "Xingtongji" charity activity received a donation of millions of yuan at its peak. There are individuals, organizations, folk forces, and government agencies, and it is a common practice to do good deeds and spread love. Xian Feiqiu, who has always insisted on donating blood without compensation, won the Annual Personal Award at the 2023 Foshan Upward and Benevolent Influence Annual Ceremony. Over the past 26 years, his cumulative blood donation has reached 156000 milliliters, equivalent to the blood volume of 37 adults. In 1998, the People of China
Edit：He Chuanning Responsible editor：Su Suiyue
Source：xinhua
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