Handwritten Spring Festival couplets are a powerful symbol of the New Year's ceremony. On January 21, Changbai Xincun Sub-district hosted the 5th Spring Festival Couplets Culture Festival and the 1st Neighborhood 228 Federation of Trade Unions Spring Festival Celebration. With the theme "Golden Snake Brings Fortune, Welcoming Spring with Health and Harmony", the event brought together people from all walks of life to celebrate the Spring Festival in a joyful and harmonious atmosphere.

Experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese culture with Spring Festival couplets

The Party and Mass Service Center in Building 4 of Neighborhood 228 was adorned with red couplets, exuding a festive and warm ambiance. Sub-district officials, calligraphy masters, international students, teachers and students from Junior High School Affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, community workers, and family representatives got together, fully immersed in the fragrance of ink and the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

The event brought together renowned calligraphers from within and outside Yangpu, calligraphy enthusiasts, skilled elderly calligraphers from the community, and young calligraphy talents. They came together to create couplets and "Fu" characters that carried deep cultural significance and heartfelt wishes for the Year of the Snake. Each stroke was imbued with hopes for health, family harmony, career success, and academic progress, all reflecting a bright and promising future.

As a unique symbol of Spring Festival culture, Spring Festival couplets embody the Chinese people's heartfelt wishes for the New Year. International students actively engaged in this event, holding Chinese brushes and concentrating intently as they explored the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy and immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture. This cross-cultural interaction not only fostered deeper international friendship but also illuminated the far-reaching brilliance of Chinese culture.

Moreover, the event featured an interactive display area showcasing intangible cultural heritage (ICH) skills, such as paper-cutting for window decorations, making lacquer fans, creating wood shavings collages, and designing creative badges. Through hands-on practice, residents experienced the unique charm of traditional culture and the joy of Spring Festival customs. Children, accompanied by their parents, eagerly absorbed these cultural practices, with heartwarming scenes capturing the essence of a festive and harmonious New Year.

"New Year's cultural goods" bring warmth to new employment groups

During the event, auspicious gifts were presented to representatives of sanitation workers who remained on duty, wishing them all the best in a place like home where their hearts find peace. Representatives of international students received gifts symbolizing "good fortune" - ICH lacquer fans representing unity, friendship, and a harmonious family. Representatives of local families and students from Junior High School Affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology were also given Spring Festival couplets and New Year's blessings.

The venue was filled with festive joy as community youth performed pipa pieces titled Ascending Step by Step and Dragon Boat, and the folk music ensemble played a bamboo flute duet Dance of the Golden Snake. The melodious pipa music blended with laughter, creating a touching and uplifting atmosphere. The entire event concluded in joy and harmony.

Looking ahead, Changbai Xincun will continue to pursue the vision of "Healthy, Harmonious, and Vibrant Changbai". Through a variety of rich cultural activities, the community will join hands with residents to write beautiful chapters and welcome the hopeful Year of the Snake.