Grand ethnic gala celebrates Chinese cultural heritage

Under the sunny skies of Sanya in Hainan province, athletes and guests from various ethnic groups joined the fun-filled grand ethnic gala held Tuesday as part of the ongoing 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China.

Zhang Xiaoxi, an athlete from Hui ethnic group, and the Hebei province delegation, described the atmosphere at the traditional grand ethnic gala of the ongoing sports event as more vibrant than the sunny weather of the city.

"Walking into the first venue for the grand ethnic gala Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot, we were warmly welcomed by friends dressed in the traditional costumes of Chinese ethnic groups. There were many interesting cultural activities to participate in," the 17-year-old said.

"I genuinely felt the harmonious relationships among all ethnic groups and felt very fortunate to be born in China and to be a part of the Chinese nation."

The event that started on Nov 22 will conclude on Saturday.

The event filled with laughter and cheerful songs paused competitions at noon to celebrate the grand ethnic gala, a unique feature of the games held midway through the competitions.

The gala featured three parts: a welcome ceremony, a park tour and a celebration segment.

The welcome ceremony, for instance, highlighted China's diverse cultural heritage with a special emphasis on Hainan's rich traditions. Decor elements such as Li ethnic cowhide drums, Li brocade, Shanlan rice wine and large-leaf tea were placed at the entrance. As guests arrived, the resonant drumming greeted them, accompanied by dancers performing the traditional firewood dance.

Young people dressed in the traditional attire of China's 56 ethnic groups sang folk songs and presented athletes with bracelets in a gesture of goodwill and friendship.

"Today, I am wearing the traditional attire of the Li ethnic group and playing the drums to welcome everyone. Through this event, I have made friends with people from the Kazak, Uygur, and Korean ethnic groups," said Sajia, a Tibetan athlete.

At the Chinese fashion trend and intangible cultural heritage street in the venue, visitors faced long lines for hands-on experiences. Wang Tingjun and his teammates of the Liaoning province delegation, were thrilled to make lacquer fans and traditional Li pottery, and they planned to bring these items home for their families and friends.

Mu Ruiqiu, team leader of the Tianjin delegation, expressed his excitement about participating in the grand ethnic gala.

"I have attended four consecutive Games, and this time, Hainan's Sanya has been incredibly welcoming. The beautiful scenery of the gala has made me feel the harmony, unity and diversity among all the Chinese ethnic groups," he said. "Hainan has put a lot of effort into organizing this event. Although we are from Tianjin, quite far from here, the gala has made us feel closer to Sanya."

The picturesque coastal scenery of Sanya has been transformed into nearly 40 themed installations, creating an expansive seaside landscape that celebrates ethnic cultures, according to Wu Yan, chief producer of a grand ethnic gathering.

The gathering showcases an integration of coastal features, ethnic performances, and local Hainan characteristics, combined with elements of modern fashion, she said.

"All the ethnic groups are coming together, allowing us to learn about each other's cultures up close. It's a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of these cultures in the gala," said athlete Zhang Xiaoxi.

"The Mongolian dance performances in the celebration segment at Yasha Park are bold and splendid," he said. "The Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region's board-shoe racing demonstrated in the celebration has now evolved into games like Two Tripod. It's originating from the Zhuang ethnic group in Guangxi. Learning about these cultural traditions allows me to share them with my friends and family back home," he added.