The China National Arts and Crafts Museum (CTCM) · the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum will host a lantern-themed event to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. The event is being held from February 2nd to March 9th, 2024, and is open to the public from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM every evening.

This event showcases the distinctive lantern art of Zigong, Sichuan province. Zigong's lantern tradition dates back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, and involves the lighting of lanterns to usher in Spring Festival and decorating the streets with lanterns during the Lantern Festival. Zigong lanterns mainly include craft lanterns, seat lanterns and group lanterns. Among them, group lanterns are the most distinctive, often depicting themes from outstanding folk traditions, classic literature, and mythological stories. Zigong lanterns use unique materials such as porcelain tableware, glass bottles, silkworm cocoons, thin bamboo strips, tie-dye, silk, and more. Today, Zigong Lantern Festival combines traditional craftsmanship with modern science and technology, creating colorful and dazzling lanterns with a splendid and diverse appearance. In 2008, the Zigong Lantern Festival was included in the second batch of the representative list of China's national intangible cultural heritage.

At this year's event, visitors can enjoy creative lantern themes, such as the Year of the Dragon, the "Classic of Mountains and Rivers", Zigong dinosaurs, and more. They will have the chance to appreciate the unique charm of combining traditional and innovative lantern craftsmanship from Zigong, immerse themselves in the fantastic world of ancient mythical creatures from the "Classic of Mountains and Rivers", and learn related scientific knowledge through the lanterns.

The event covers indoor and outdoor areas, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience and purchase various exquisite handicrafts and intangible cultural heritage creative products, leaving unforgettable memories of their visit. As Spring Festival approaches, let us pray together for the prosperity and stability of the country, and the happiness, well-being, and health of the people.

A lantern of an ancient mythical creature

A lantern of an ancient mythical creature