On December 4th, the UNESCO Committee officially added the "Spring Festival – The Social Practice of Celebrating the Traditional Chinese New Year" to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This monumental inclusion highlights the global significance of Chinese New Year, not only as a festive occasion but as a vital cultural practice with deep historical roots. Among the newly listed elements are some of Jiangsu province's most cherished cultural treasures: Nanjing's Qinhuai Lantern Festival (南京秦淮灯会), Suzhou's Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints (苏州桃花坞木版年画), and Wuxi's Taibo Temple Fair (无锡泰伯庙).
For those who may not be familiar with these cultural gems, they are now being recognized as crucial expressions of Chinese identity and tradition. This recognition affirms the province's profound contribution to the country's cultural heritage, further solidifying Jiangsu's status as an artistic powerhouse. With this addition, Jiangsu now boasts a total of 14 UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritages, more than any other province in China.
Nanjing's Qinhuai Lantern Festival
When one thinks of Nanjing during the Spring Festival, it's hard to ignore the dazzling spectacle of the Qinhuai Lantern Festival. A historical tradition that stretches back to the Southern Dynasties, the lantern festival has been a hallmark of the city's culture for over a thousand years. The city is renowned for its vibrant and intricate lantern displays, which light up the night sky and draw thousands of visitors each year.
The festival is a visual feast, featuring thousands of lanterns that range from traditional to modern designs, each carrying symbolic meanings of prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. The spirit of the celebration is reflected in a popular local saying: "If you don't visit the Confucius Temple to see the lanterns, it's like you haven't celebrated the New Year." This sentiment echoes the deeply ingrained cultural importance of the festival to Nanjing's residents.
Historically, the festival's origins date back to the Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD), and it reached its peak during the Ming Dynasty, when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) extended the lantern display to ten days, allowing for an even more spectacular showcase of artistic innovation. The Qinhuai Lantern Festival became so renowned that it was famously referred to as "the best lantern display in the world." Despite a brief hiatus, the festival was revived in 1985 and has been a prominent annual event ever since, continuing to attract large crowds from both within and outside of China.
In recent years, the festival has expanded to include new lighting features along the Qinhuai River. Large lantern installations float on the water, creating a mesmerizing, colorful display. This marriage of history and innovation not only preserves the tradition but also makes it more accessible to modern audiences, preserving its cultural significance for generations to come.
Suzhou's Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints
Another UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage from Jiangsu is Suzhou's Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints, which are known for their bold colors, intricate designs, and deeply rooted symbolism. These prints often depict scenes of prosperity, happiness, and good luck, with traditional images such as the "God of Wealth," children playing, and families celebrating the New Year.
Despite facing near extinction at the turn of the 21st century, these prints have been brought back to life through dedicated efforts by local artisans and cultural institutions. In 2001, the Suzhou Academy of Art and Design took on the task of preserving and revitalizing the craft, ensuring that the techniques of woodblock printing were passed down to younger generations. By 2006, Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints were included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items, a recognition that helped revive interest in this traditional art form.
Today, vibrant, childlike images of plump, happy children and auspicious symbols have become synonymous with Chinese New Year celebrations across the country. The prints carry not only decorative value but also cultural significance, as they represent families' hopes and wishes for a prosperous and harmonious year ahead.
Wuxi's Taibo Temple Fair
Located in the heart of Wuxi, the Taibo Temple Fair is one of Jiangsu's oldest and most culturally significant celebrations. Held annually during the Spring Festival, this event is not just a religious gathering but also a lively marketplace and cultural extravaganza. As the first temple fair of the new year in the Jiangnan region, the Taibo Temple Fair draws pilgrims and visitors from surrounding areas to pay respects to the legendary King Taibo, the founder of Wuxi.
Over time, the temple fair has evolved into a multi-faceted event that includes traditional performances such as dragon dancing, stilt walking, and the spinning of Chinese yo-yos, alongside a bustling market selling food, crafts, and other wares. In 2024, the fair will feature even more diverse cultural displays, including Hanfu (汉服) parades and the elegant display of traditional Chinese clothing, highlighting the continued vitality of local customs.
The Taibo Temple Fair is a vital part of Wuxi's cultural landscape, offering a chance for people to connect with their roots while celebrating the joys of the New Year. It also reflects the importance of community and tradition in Chinese culture, where collective celebrations strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of belonging.
Jiangsu's inclusion in the UNESCO list recognizes its rich cultural traditions and reminds the province of its ongoing efforts to preserve and promote its heritage. With 14 items now on the list, Jiangsu has a deep reservoir of cultural assets that will continue to inspire and educate future generations.
The Spring Festival, along with its associated practices like the Qinhuai Lantern Festival, Taohuawu Woodblock Prints, and the Taibo Temple Fair, represents more than just a time of celebration. It is a window into the values, stories, and aspirations of the Chinese people. As these traditions gain global recognition, they serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage in an ever-changing world. Through such recognition, these traditions are not just protected but celebrated on the world stage, allowing future generations to continue experiencing the magic of Chinese New Year.
