Intl seafarers celebrate Lantern Festival in Ningbo

International seafarers learn to make tangyuan and dumplings. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The Jinchuang community in Meishan subdistrict, Ningbo, hosted a unique event to celebrate Lantern Festival on Feb 10. Over 20 vesselcrew members from Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Poland gathered to make Ningbo-style tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) and dumplings, guided by Ningbo border inspection officers.

Raju Theevath, an Indian seafarer, shared his excitement: "This is my first time celebrating Lantern Festival in China. Learning to make tangyuan felt special and heartwarming." The participants praised the delicious Ningbo cuisine as steaming bowls of tangyuan and dumplings were served.

Following the feast, the seafarers solved lantern riddles, a traditional Chinese activity. Engaging in lively discussions as they searched for answers, they enjoyed the surprising and amusing solutions, gaining a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture.

The event also included a visit to the Ningbo Bang Museum, where the seafarers learned about the history of the Ningbo merchant group, maritime trade relics, and modern industry development. Officer Cheng Hui's fluent English narration moved seafarer Jimenez Rodel: "It's touching to see prominent figures give back to their hometowns."

Ardamil Rommel from the Philippines expressed his enthusiasm: "Chinese traditional culture is fascinating, and I enjoyed the lantern riddle segment. This event deepened my understanding of Ningbo, and I hope to visit again."