A vibrant celebration of the upcoming Spring Festival is taking place at the First Historical Archives of China in Beijing, offering a range of interactive activities for visitors from Wednesday through Saturday. This event allows attendees to immerse themselves in traditional customs associated with the Chinese New Year.
Historically, the emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) held a unique ceremony to commemorate the festival. On New Year’s Eve, they would write their aspirations for the coming year on small pieces of yellow paper, wishing for favorable weather and harmony in governance. These wishes were then placed in a box, kept private from others, and this intriguing custom continued until the dynasty’s end.
At the archives, attendees can engage in tracing characters penned by Emperor Qianlong in 1786, using black ink as they write their own New Year wishes. Visitors can also make use of copies of seals from the archives, participate in a Spring Festival fair, sample traditional pastries, create rubbings of auspicious words, and explore traditional artistic expressions.
In addition, from now until March 3, further festivities are planned in collaboration with various institutes. Participants can embark on an exploration of the Beijing Central Axis and its surroundings, visiting museums, commercial districts, popular landmarks, and diverse ethnic villages. After reaching designated locations, they can use smart seals on an online check-in map. The more locations they check-in to, the more tiered souvenirs they can collect at chosen spots.
This initiative not only honors tradition but also encourages community engagement and celebration of cultural heritage during one of China’s most significant festivals. The intertwining of history, culture, and interactive experiences offers a rich and hopeful outlook for the new year ahead.