Chinese village renews bamboo horse dance

People in eastern China's Jiandian village perform bamboo hobby-horse. (Photo/CNTV)

For a number of decades, hard times forced a village in eastern China to abandon ome of its most enduring Lunar New Year traditions. Now, for the first time, it's ringing in the new year as it once used to.

For 30 years, the folk culture parade at Jiandian village was suspended. But thanks to the locals' efforts, it's back.

"Bamboo hobby-horse performances have more than 100 years of history. They're really loved by villagers here, who organize and perform together. It's also good excercise and a lot of fun," bamboo horse dance instructor Wang Tianjie said.

Clad in colorful costumes, the movements of the dancers are believed to bring good fortune for the new year.

"I think this is really meaningful. It brings joy to people and welcomes the new year," Wang said.

The nearby city of Bozhou extended support to revive the folk dance. Now, Jiandan village hopes to extend cultural events past the holiday season.

More initiatives are planned, aiming to hold no less than two big cultural performances in the village later this year.