On February 11, the 14th day of the first lunar month, nine foreign friends from seven countries, including Russia, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, and Morocco, visited the Dingjia area of southern Bishan District, Chongqing, participated in tug-of-war, made tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), visited ICH exhibitions, crafted straw dragons, picked green vegetables, and watched iron firework performances. They also experienced the festive atmosphere of the Lishan Han Torch Festival.

Nine foreign friends send their blessings. (Photo/The event organizer)

Every year, the 14th day of the first lunar month is known as "Celebrating the New Year." This grassroots cultural activity, formed spontaneously by the working people, is joyful, positive, and rich in deep national cultural heritage. It is understood that since the Han Dynasty, the torch festival activities to drive away locusts have been popular in the Lishan area of Dingjia, evolving over a millennium into the current Lishan Han Torch Festival (hereinafter referred to as "the event"). This festival symbolizes positivity, prayers for a bumper harvest, and national peace while also showcasing strong local characteristics as an intangible cultural heritage of the Bishan District. The event is centered around the Dingjia Lishan Temple area, extending to neighboring towns and villages.

The event began on the 3rd day of the first lunar month (January 31) and lasted until the 14th day (February 11), with the final day being the climax of the festivities.

Upon arriving at the event site, the foreign friends were immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere of the New Year. Before they could acclimate, the villagers invited them to join a tug-of-war competition, expressing their eagerness to team up with their foreign friends.

Tug-of-war competition. (Photo/The event organizer)

The tug-of-war competition was held in a best-of-three format, with each team comprising 10 members, including both foreign friends and local participants. Once ready, the whistle blew, and both teams gave it their all, with the audience cheering and sharing tips with their foreign friends.

The winning team proudly displays their red envelopes. (Photo/The event organizer)

After two rounds, the victor was determined. The winners celebrated, but even the losing team was happy. The organizers awarded red envelopes to welcome the foreign friends regardless of the outcome. MUSHNIKOVA KIRA from Russia remarked, "By starting today's journey with a tug-of-war competition, I believe the rest of the day will be quite interesting."

SI THU HTET (left), MUSHNIKOVA KIRA (middle), and SHVARTSKOPF DARYA (right) make tangyuan together. (Photo/The event organizer)

Making and eating tangyuan symbolizes reunion and happiness and is also an indispensable part of the festival. Villagers gathered to make and taste delicious tangyuan, enjoying the warmth and joy of the festival. The foreign friends rolled up their sleeves to make their own tangyuan, embracing the spirit of togetherness and completeness. SHVARTSKOPF DARYA from Kazakhstan was very focused, learning from the instructor and exchanging tips with MUSHNIKOVA KIRA. SI THU HTET from Myanmar soon joined in, saying, "Making a tangyuan means achieving completeness; I like this meaning."

Raising straw dragons. (Photo/The event organizer)

The foreign friends also experienced crafting straw dragons. Villagers explained, "The longer the dragon's body, the more auspicious it is. Anyone who touches the dragon or makes one by hand will have their wishes come true." To fully appreciate the charm of the straw dragon, guided by the villagers, the foreign friends used trial-sized poles and straw to shape "straw dragons" resembling long dragons, with each person working with a bundle of straw and creating a collaborative effort on-site. KAIDAROV RAMIZ from Kazakhstan expressed, "I hope my dreams can come true too." It was noted that this year's parade featured a straw dragon approximately 400 to 500 meters long, requiring nearly 200 people to carry it.

Iron firework performances. (Photo/The event organizer)

The foreign friends were deeply impressed by a spectacular "rain" display in the evening. Artists performing the iron fireworks show wielded special wooden boards and spoons. They scooped up boiling molten iron from the furnace and then splashed it onto an iron plate in the air. Countless sparks were caused by the collision of the molten iron with the iron plate, forming a bright "firework rain." Nearby, fireworks also lit up the sky. KOROTNEV PAVEL from Russia remarked, "The iron firework performance seems a bit dangerous, but the scene is truly beautiful."

Visiting ICH exhibitions. (Photo/The event organizer)

Additionally, the foreign friends participated in a blindfolded duck-catching game, explored ICH exhibitions, engaged in picking green vegetables in the vegetable garden—a symbolic activity for "harvesting good fortune"—and enjoyed a bonfire music party.

Looking ahead, the Dingjia Subdistrict of Bishan District plans to further explore ICH resources, using the Lishan Han Torch Festival as a vehicle to enrich its cultural tourism product matrix, shape a diverse "agriculture-culture-tourism" economic model, and actively explore new pathways for integrating agriculture, culture, and tourism development.