Family-Day Activity on “Happy Lantern Festival” Held at Museum

Lantern Festival has for centuries been celebrated by our Chinese people on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. As its name implies, people usually hang lanterns in the gardens, outside the houses and on the boats. It is an occasion for families to get together and for everyone--young, old, rich and poor to eat Yuanxiao (sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour) and have a good time.

“Happy Sister” is telling kids about the origin of Lantern Festival.

On February 18, the Lantern Festival, Family-Day Activity on “2011 Happy Lantern Festival” was held at Hunan Provincial Museum, aiming at carrying forward our traditional cultures in an interactive and fun way.

Kids in the game of “Yuanxiao, Run!”.

In the contest of “Yuanxiao, Run!”, children managed to carry the Yuanxiao-shaped balls holding in the trays, keeping balance and passing across obstacles at the same time, to get their parents’ baskets. Through cooperation and encouragement, families enjoyed themselves in the fierce yet interesting competition. 

This Family-Day approached a climax when “DIY Lantern” part began. Imaginatively and elaborately, the participant families used the old calendar paper prepared by themselves and all other kinds of materials provided by museum staff to make their own lanterns by an hour of cutting, scissoring, gluing and painting. Finally, "The Best Family" title was awarded to the family who made the most beautiful lantern through excellent cooperation.

A boy is making a lantern with the help of his mother.

“Lantern Riddle" game was then followed, wining favorable reviews from families for its traditional and culture-rich environment.

This Family-Day Activity on “Happy Lantern Festival” was held as a prelude to the following Chinese traditional festivals, such as Tomb-sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Day, Double Ninth Festival, etc. in 2011 celebrated at Hunan Provincial Museum, please stay tuned!