The Opening of Luonan Cangjie Cultural Tourism Festival

The Luo River flows all the way to nurture the soul of Cang Jie (China’s ancient word inventor), and Luonan County bears witness to the origin of Chinese characters. April 20th saw the opening of Luonan Cangjie Cultural Tourism Festival which is part of 2021 China Qinling Mountains Eco-Cultural Tourism Festival.

The opening ceremony officially kicked off at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony was presided over by Song Linhong, Member of the Standing Committee of Luonan County Party Committee and Minister of United Front Work Department. Zhi Chaoqi, Member of the Standing Committee of Luonan County Party Committee and Deputy Head of Luonan County, delivered a speech. Li Zhaoxing, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Wenyan from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, sent their warmest congratulations via the video. Minister-Counselor from Embassy of Zambia Mr. Geoffrey Banda gave a speech. Li Danfeng, Vice Publicity Minister of Shangluo Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Office of Civilization, and Wu Pingjun, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Calligraphers’ Association, unveiled the plaque. The Provincial Education Department presented the license to the Provincial Research and Learning Base of Cangjie Town, and the Vice Mayor Li Hua announced the opening of the event.

Following the opening ceremony was the sacrificial activity. The officiant offered the wine, incense, sacrifices and baskets of flowers with respect, bowed to Cang Jie three times, read the memorial article, and then announced all was done for the great sacrificial ritual. Wang Yupeng, Vice Secretary of Luonan County Party Committee and Head of the County, respectfully read the memorial article. Leaders of Shaanxi Province, Shangluo City and Luonan County, personalities from the world of culture and members of Cangjie Cultural Institute attended the ritual, offered incense and bowed to pay tribute to the master.

Luonan Cangjie Cultural Tourism Festival started on April 20th with the theme of “Memorizing the Cultural Master Cang Jie, Exploring the Origin of Chinese Characters in Luonan”. The festival will last for 15 days and includes 16 activities: Gong and Drum Performance of 100 People, the opening ceremony, sacrificial activity, cultural symposium, symposium on calligraphic history, promotion of agricultural and sideline products as well as catering services (including live streaming promotion), exhibition of calligraphy and paintings (promoted by signature tours of Internet celebrities), Photo Exhibition “Luonan in the Eyes of Photographers”, exhibition of Luonan’s unique stones and potted plants, sacred tour of Bao’an, cultural and art performance of the masses, Shadow Puppetry, research and learning on Chinese characters, exciting book recitation, collection of fine articles, photographic works and short videos, and grand firework display.