I cannot believe I did not know that the Spring Festival is the equivalent of the Chinese New Year. Anyways, one of my autobiographies, Elaine, discussed this Spring Festival. I had no idea what it was but it sounded fun and important.
Everyone would cook some delicious traditional dishes such as dumplings. Also red paper bags of candies and money would be passed around as gifts. Chinese students also get a break from school for this. It's basically like our "winter break" except it is called a Spring Festival. Families also do a huge house cleaning and purchase brand new clothes, especially for the children.
This seemed like a great topic to research because I love learning about other culture's traditions. Instead of focusing on sad topics and struggles, why not try to find something positive and interesting in another country?
Anyways, the Spring Festival is mostly known for its' rush because millions of people migrate to celebrate it with friends and family. Taking trains are strongly not advised and to never trust the "kind-hearted" vendors. Also it is forewarned to wear warm clothes because it is cold in China and if you do have to take a train, you should get there an hour before departure and wait there with no heat/air conditioning! Yikes! Though, it is pretty nice to be upfront about these kinds of things. 
The Chinese Spring Festival is the most important celebration in China because it celebrates family reunions by colorful and rich activities, also to increase the hopes of spring and flowers blossoming. This festival starts 7 days before the years ends, and ends on the 15th of the first new month, aka the Lantern Festival. This festival is almost as important because people watch lanterns and every household eats yuanxiao (a rice ball stuffed with different fillings).
Sources:
1) Autobiography from Elaine
2) http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/spring-festival.htm
3) http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/spring-festival-rush.htm
I must experience this in my life, added to the bucket list!
This Festival sounds awesome!! I want to be able to experience this at some point in my life! I wish we did things like this is the states!
ReplyDeleteSame here! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteWow, what a fun topic!!! This festival sounds like an absolute blast. Some of the autobiographies I read included information about this festival. I think it is awesome that China has all of these huge festivals. They all seem so colorful, bright, and fun!! It would be an amazing opportunity to be a part of the festival.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It looks so fun and it seems like something that would bring a lot of people together. Thank you for your thoughtful comment!
DeleteThis looks so fun! I really wish we could have something like this. I think their festivals are so interesting. It would be awesome if we had some kind of mock Chinese festival. It looks way cooler than our fairs and stuff.
ReplyDeleteRight? And it seems less smellier than fairs, too haha!
DeleteIt was a great topic that you picked to research a little on. I think you did a good job with the research because while reading it made me want to be apart of the celebratipon, just seems like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Hannah! I really appreciate that.
DeleteThis festival seems like quite the soiree. I, too, am going to add going to this festival on my never-ending bucket list of half a million things. Dumplings sound pretty good right about now, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI love the word "soiree," you're the first I've seen to actually use it. Same here, never ending bucket lists for the win!
DeleteSo beautiful!!! can I come with you on that trip? ;D
ReplyDeleteOf course Katie! :)
DeleteGreat pictures!
ReplyDelete