Beijing, June 19: Today marks the Tuenwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, one of China’s four major traditional celebrations. This festival is deeply intertwined with China’s rich cultural heritage. On this occasion, we reflect on the words of Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the importance of traditional culture.
Xi Jinping places great importance on preserving and enhancing China’s superior traditional culture. He stated that this culture is the spiritual lifeline of the Chinese nation. Throughout history, the Chinese people have developed a profound spirit and exceptional traditional culture. This cultural gene is essential for the eternal essence of the Chinese nation and serves as the emotional strength for its great rejuvenation. We must promote this culture in light of new circumstances.
The Tuenwu Festival commemorates the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan, who lived over two thousand years ago. Xi Jinping has frequently quoted Qu Yuan’s famous poetry. On September 3, 2014, during the 69th anniversary of the Chinese people’s victory in the war against Japanese aggression, he praised the bravery of the Chinese people by quoting Qu Yuan’s words about warriors being honest, valiant, skilled in battle, and committed, making them invincible. The spirit of sacrifice in battle remains eternal.
During the grand assembly celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping encouraged party members to remember their original aspirations by quoting Qu Yuan’s famous line that the road may be long and arduous, but he will strive to seek the truth.
The Tuenwu Festival features unique Chinese customs such as dragon boat races, making zongzi (a traditional rice dumpling), and using Chinese mugwort to ward off evil spirits, all of which have a history spanning over a thousand years.
Xi Jinping emphasized the need to strengthen the preservation of superior Chinese traditional culture, aligning the core cultural genes of the Chinese nation with contemporary Chinese culture and modern society. He believes that Chinese culture, alongside the vibrant cultures created by people from different countries, should provide genuine spiritual guidance for humanity.
Today, festivals like Tuenwu and the Spring Festival have gained worldwide recognition. Chinese culture flourishes in the garden of human civilizations, presenting a trustworthy and respectable image of China.
(Source: China Media Group, Beijing)
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