[Photo/xxsb.com]

The 2021 Guangzhou Qiqiao Cultural Festival, an event celebrating Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, launched on Monday.

To the sound of drums and traditional music, a group of elegant young ladies made their appearance at an ancestral hall in Zhucun village, Tianhe district, Guangzhou, demonstrated a skill that ancient Chinese women were familiar with - threading a needle with colorful yarn - and sang traditional Qixi-themed songs. 

That was part of the opening ceremony held at the hall, where a lot of exquisite handicrafts were on display including pieces that feature both traditional themes such as the magpie bridge as well as the modern life.

[Photo/xxsb.com]

[Photo/xxsb.com]

Also at the event, there were young women demonstrating how to make handicrafts, which was also live-streamed to netizens.

This year is the fifth year that 19-year-old Yaoyao has taken part in this ceremony. “For me, it’s not only a good opportunity to steel myself, but also a chance to experience traditional culture,” Yaoyao told a reporter.

She said that along with increasing media reports about the Qiqiao Cultural Festival in recent years, more and more young people, like her, have become familiar with this traditional culture.

Since 2015, when the first Guangzhou Qiqiao Cultural Festival was held, Zhucun village in Tianhe has been the main venue.

From August 9 to 15, a number of cultural activities will be staged in Zhucun village, at the Canton Tower and the Grandview Plaza, which include exhibitions on intangible cultural heritage, fine works of art and China-Chic products.

If you’re interested in attending, please search for “2021 Guangzhou Qiqiao Cultural Festival” (“2021广州乞巧文化节”) on WeChat mini programs and make an appointment before taking part in the festivities.