Recently, the Jiachen Taoxi International Mazu Culture Festival concluded successfully in Chaonan District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province. An exchange delegation of over 200 people from the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple, led by Lin Jinzan, Vice President of the Chinese Mazu Culture Exchange Association and Chairman of the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple Board, attended this grand event.
A Grand Gathering of Mazu Devotees from Home and Abroad
On the opening day, the “Jiachen Taoxi International Mazu Culture Festival” was launched in Taoxi Cultural Square, attracting over 1,000 Mazu believers from both home and abroad to join in a Peace and Blessing Ceremony. The square was alive with the sound of bells and drums, and processional teams in full regalia, along with graceful dancers, created a rich cultural atmosphere.
During the opening ceremony, Lin Jinzan, representing the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple, presented souvenirs to international friends, with both sides exchanging gifts to symbolize mutual exchange and friendship. The ceremony then featured traditional music, with Lin Jinzan and Zhou Zerong performing the ritual of burning incense, offering incense, and paying respects. The ancient rituals of the “Three Sacrificial Offerings” and “Three Kneelings and Nine Kowtows” were performed, while male and female dancers showcased the elegant and powerful “Ba Yi Dance,” filled with the charm of maritime culture.
Blessings Around the Perimeter, Reviving Traditional Folk Customs
After the opening ceremony, Lin Jinzan and Zhou Zerong, along with Mazu devotees from around the world, participated in the blessing procession around Taoxi Cultural Square. The scene was bustling with excitement as teams of traditional performers, including the Ying Ge Team, flag teams, large gongs and drums, and waist drum performers, stretched for miles, attracting numerous onlookers. The streets were filled with people, creating an electric atmosphere.
Mazu Culture: Inheritance and Promotion
During the festival, Lin Jinzan expressed high praise for the event, stating, “The successful hosting of the Jiachen Taoxi International Mazu Culture Festival is yet another grand celebration of Mazu culture. It showcases the unique charm of the fusion of Mazu beliefs and Chaoshan folk customs. We warmly invite guests from all over the world to visit Meizhou Island for the upcoming Mazu cultural festivities to jointly inherit and promote Mazu culture, allowing the outstanding traditional Chinese culture to shine in the new era.”
The Mazu Culture Festival has become an important bridge connecting Mazu devotees from around the world. Through the festival, the belief in Mazu is skillfully integrated with Chaoshan folk customs, allowing more people to gain an in-depth understanding of the history and spiritual essence of Mazu culture, further advancing the global dissemination and development of traditional Chinese culture.
