Sichuan Province Launches 2024 Mass Cultural Activities with Dragon and Lion Dance Celebration
On February 2nd, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the launching ceremony of Sichuan Province’s 2024 mass cultural activities “Thousands of Dragons and Thousands of Lions celebrating the New Year and celebrating the New Year” was held in Enyang District, Bazhong City. The ceremony, which was hosted by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Bazhong Municipal People’s Government, and hosted by the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Center, showcased the rich and colorful intangible cultural heritage elements to kick off the 2024 Spring Festival themed cultural and tourism activities.
The performance centered on the theme of “Thousands of Dragons and Thousands of Lions celebrating the New Year and Happy New Year” where dragon and lion teams swam, wore, soared, leaped, turned, rolled, and played while spreading the joy of welcoming the spring. Dragon dancers from all walks of life, along with various dragon and lion teams from different districts of Sichuan, captivated the audience with their vibrant and powerful performances.
The launching ceremony was divided into three chapters, each focused on the dragon and lion dance performances accompanied by majestic gongs and drums, as well as other mass art teams participating in the performance. A total of 34 dances from 20 cities across the province and 47 lion dance teams took part in the celebration.
Aside from the dragon and lion performances, the ceremony also featured a variety of supporting activities such as an intangible cultural heritage shopping festival, traditional opera performances, cultural and creative market sales, and the sending of Spring Festival couplets and blessing words. This was aimed at enriching the people’s spiritual and cultural life, stimulating consumption vitality, and driving economic growth.
Enyang District, Bazhong City, where the launching ceremony was held, was described as a microcosm of the province’s cultural and tourism activities. It is known for its rich culture and history, with Enyang Ancient Town being one of the top ten ancient towns in Sichuan.
In line with the theme cultural and tourism activities of “Thousands of Dragons and Thousands of Lions Celebrate the New Year with Joy,” the Sichuan Provincial Culture and Tourism System will be organizing more than 1,900 activities in 27 series across 7 major sections during the 2024 Spring Festival. These activities aim to celebrate the Chinese New Year with cultural and art events, mass activities, intangible cultural heritage protection, leisure consumption, ice and snow tourism, and cultural exhibitions.
The launching ceremony marked the beginning of a vibrant and festive cultural and tourism season in Sichuan Province, bringing together people from different districts to celebrate the Chinese New Year with dragon and lion dance performances and various cultural activities.