Chinese people share congee to celebrate Laba Festival

As the traditional Laba Festival approaches, celebrations are taking place across China, with communities coming together to share the festival's signature delicacy, Laba congee.

The Laba Festival, observed on the eighth day of the 12th month in the lunar Chinese calendar, serves as a prelude to the Chinese Lunar New Year. This year, the festival falls on Tuesday, marking the start of the month-long festivities leading up to the Spring Festival.

The Laba congee, enjoyed during the freezing winter, symbolizes warmth, gratitude, and hopes for a prosperous year ahead.

In Nanling County in Anhui Province's Wuhu City, a folk culture fair began on Saturday to welcome the occasion. A highlight of the fair is the distribution of freshly prepared Laba congee -- a thick, nutritious porridge made with a medley of beans, grains, and dried fruits. The congee is traditionally shared to express wishes for a bountiful harvest and prosperity.

"To enjoy Laba congee is to share best wishes. We wish everyone a lucky, healthy, and happy new year," said Zhao Hongxia, a tourist.

Visitors to the fair can also enjoy festival performances and sample an array of delicacies, creating a lively atmosphere for families to gather and celebrate.

"It is a grand celebration. I tasted great food here, and watched shows. The fair is joyful and lively, and we enjoyed it a lot," said Li Xiaojuan, a local resident, at the fair.

Meanwhile, in Xieji Town, Shangqiu City of Henan Province, students and faculty at Zhangbukou Primary School began preparing the Laba congee on Monday. Many of the students, known as "left-behind children," have parents working in cities far from home to support their families. The festival offered these children a chance to share their thoughts and gratitude with their parents, adding a poignant touch to the celebration.

"After mommy and daddy come back for the Spring Festival, I will definitely make them a nice, hot Laba congee on my own," said Tian Ruoxi, a student at the Zhangbukou Primary School.

Chinese people share congee to celebrate Laba Festival

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