Kantonese festivals

**Kantonese festivals** (known generally as 萦, *yíng*) are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in ancient Shenlu ceremonies and celebrations, but have changed over the centuries. Generally, *ying* can vary from region to region, and some are so different from each other that they are barely comparible despite sharing the same name and date. There are also various localised festivals which are mostly unknown outside their area.

Festivals are often based around one event, with food stalls, carnival games, and entertainment such as dancing and live music being commonplace. Some events also feature traditional Qiren or Shenlu ceremonies, such as harvest festivals. A number of *ying* are based around temples or religious events.

## Famous festivals/celebrations

### **Wintermeet**

Wintermeet is one of the largest festivals of the year in the city of Hongkai, held in early December for one week. It began in 1845 when local children became involved in a snow-statue building contest in Liudai Park, eastern Hongkai. The event is now very large and commercialised. Over 250 ice sculptures are built for the festival with around 10 very large statues, often centred around a theme. Other events are also held, such as carnivals, firework displays, concerts and traditional song and dance gatherings.

### **Lake Chunxie Festival**

This lakeside festival is held in the beginning of June, near to Lake Chunxie in the town of Yaokuang, Meng Prefecture. The festival is mostly focused on cuisine and traditional food, and there is a seafood-tasting event where new dishes by the area's top chefs are presented. Taking place over the span of 3-4 days, the festival culminates in the release of a number of small wax-paper ships onto the lake itself. The ships carry brightly-coloured candles and have a wish or hope of the maker written on their side. It is thought that the spirits of the lake will be amused by the candle floats and grant the wishes. As many as 1,200 floats can be sent out in one night. Displays of traditional dancing are also popular, with visitors encouraged to wear costumes and participate.

### **Crabapple festivals**

The appreciation of crabapples is an ancient cultural tradition in Kanton and is honoured with innumerable festivals every year, in almost every town and city of the nation. The most well-attended and famous crabapple festivals is [capital city] Crabapple Festival, held in Kanton's capital in Zhong Prefecture.

### **Gefu-Ying (Naked Festival)**

Gefu-Ying, also known as the Naked Festival, is one of Kanton's oldest and most well-presevered traditional celebrations. It is celebrated all over the country, in dramatically varied ways. Generally, in modern times complete nakedness is forbidden while participating, according to modern laws surrounding exposure in public. Hundreds will gather and dance through the streets wearing traditional undergarments (a loincloth for men, and a close-fitting wrap for women), calling out chants while bands play instruments and sing. The festival is held during the summer months. On good years, communities would hold this festival to ask deities for prevailing and continued abundance and healthy crops; on poor years, they would hold the festival in order to drive away evil spirits.

### **Kantonese New Year**

A traditional celebration of the New Year, typically taking place during the second week of January. It involves many different events, such as the first temple visit or *hanchong.* During this period, Kantonese people often visit their families, attend communal temples/shrines, wear zhuang (装), cook large amounts of traditional food, and participate in parades or public gatherings. The holding of certain events is considered auspicious during the New Year, notably weddings and Qiren baptism. It is also advised that any outstanding debts, either financial or figurative, should be taken care of; that family members visit each other, and that people abstain from drinking alcohol or having sex.

### **Sky Festival**

A celebration of the sky which takes place in late August in the southern prefectures of Kanton. Although a relatively new festival, emerging from old, obsolete Shenlu practices in the 19th century, it now attracts millions of participants every year. The event focuses on appreciation of the sky, moon, sun, and stars, and is heavily theme-oriented. Musical acts always take centre stage, but dancing is also popular, and the streets are filled with streetfood vendors and souvenir sellers. Kites will be flown, streets will be decorated with paper lanterns and temples will experience much higher numbers of visitors.

### Fireworks festivals

Firework festivals are old and traditional celebrations which originated from funeral rites of the 18th century. Nowadays, firework displays are held all over Kanton in the late summer, usually in July, in various towns and cities which are near rivers.