People of the Qiang ethnic group in southwest China's Sichuan Province put on grand festivities on its traditional new year, which fell on Friday this year.
The Qiang New Year Festival, or Harvest Festival in the Qiang language, is the most important traditional festival for the ethnic group, whose people mostly live in and around the Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan. The Qiang New Year usually falls on the first day of the tenth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, with its central themes including celebrating the harvest, sending blessings, and praying for peace.
The first day of the New Year revelries featured the Qiang people clad in beautiful traditional costumes dancing and singing, time-honored ritual sacrifice ceremonies, a large hotpot-themed banquet, a lively dragon dance, an intangible heritage exhibition, and other folk activities.
"We enjoy quite a bountiful life now. Today is the Qiang New Year. I want to wish my folks of the Qiang ethnic group, including all my family members and friends, a happy new year. Good luck and happiness to you all," said Yu Xingbao, a staff member of the Ancient Qiang City, a popular tourist destination.
The festival was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009 for its valuable cultural significance.
China's Qiang ethnic group celebrates traditional new year
China's Qiang ethnic group celebrates traditional new year
A contemporary Chinese art exhibition has been held at the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest, playing a vibrant role in fostering cultural ties between the East and the West. The exhibits, including brush paintings and sculptures on mountains, rivers, plants, blend traditional brushwork with Western influences, creating a serene, meditative atmosphere.
The artists' deep connection with the natural world is a window that the "Chinese Xieyi exhibition'' at the Hungarian National Museum presents to the public to explore Chinese philosophy, according to Tunde FegyvAri-Komori, curator of the Hungarian National Museum.
"This exhibition is a collection of 58 artworks, including four sculptures from 58 different artists, from the National Art Museum of China's collection. And they represent modern and contemporary artworks, partly reflecting back to the traditional Chinese painting and Chinese art, and partly reflecting to Western influences in art, which mostly started arriving in China after the 1970s and the 80s," said FegyvAri-Komori.
Much of the exhibition showcases traditional Chinese brushwork, where delicate strokes create intricate designs and meanings that express deep philosophical meanings, allowing viewers to experience the world from their perspective.
"The Chinese curators constructed the exhibition around these three topics and these three main aspects to approach Xieyi itself. The first one is called 'yi', which translates as meaning. This focuses on the essence of the topic. The second one is form, which in Chinese is 'xing,' and it's quite similar to meaning, but from a different approach. They are focusing on the form itself that they see, but they are not aiming at mirroring reality. The third one is called 'interest,' or in Chinese called 'qu.' And in this last part, I would say that it's a combination of the first two," said FegyvAri-Komori.
One standout piece is a sculpture that blends mythology and modern art, depicting Lao Tzu departing from the Qin Empire (221 BC to 207 BC), carrying the wisdom that shaped Taoist thought with him. The ox-head panther he rides symbolizes mysticism and the spiritual journey, adding another mythical dimension to the work.
"It expresses Xieyi very well, but at the same time, it also expresses a little bit of Western modern art, abstract art," said FegyvAri-Komori.
For many visitors, the exhibition is a chance to experience the dynamic evolution of Chinese art.
"My father had several books about Chinese art, about porcelains, ceramics, and paintings. It always struck me how different it is from our European tradition. There's a subtlety and sensitivity in it. The way they express emotions feels so unique and profound," said Daniel, a visitor.
The exhibition, part of celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China, celebrates cultural exchange and shared appreciation for art and culture.
Contemporary Chinese art expo held in Hungary helps cultivate ties between east and west
