1、The Lantern Festival Unit 1 Video Time What do you know about the Lantern Festival? The Lantern Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. The custom of joyfully celebrating the Lantern Festival began in ancient times and still has great influence on Chinese people today.
2、The Lantern Festival BEFORE YOU WATCH How much do you know about the Lantern Festival? Look at the table below and try to fill in the blanks. Date On the _ day of the _ month of the lunar year The _ day of the Chinese New Year celebrations Festi val activi ties 1. Looking at lanterns Places to see t
3、he lanterns: _ Most cities will _ 2. Guessing riddles Riddles are often written _ 3. Eating yuanxiao or tangyuan Different fillings are stuffed into balls of sticky _. The _ symbolises reunion, harmony, and _. Date On the _ day of the _ month of the lunar year The _ day of the Chinese New Year celeb
4、rations Festi val activi ties 1. Looking at lanterns Places to see the lanterns: _ _ Most cities will _ _ 2. Guessing riddles Riddles are often written _ 3. Eating yuanxiao or tangyuan Different fillings are stuffed into balls of sticky _. The _ symbolises reunion, harmony, and _. WHILE YOU WATCH Co
5、mplete the table with the correct words. fifteenthfirst final the streets, markets, shops, parks, and homes organise lantern shows which add to the festive atmosphere on the lanterns rice flour round shape happiness Guangdong 300 Valentines lovers to meet momentslovers AFTER YOU WATCH Work with a pa
6、rtner. Use the notes above to help you give a brief introduction to the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year. During this time, lanterns will be hung throughout the city, creating a festive atmosphere. Many of these lanterns wil
7、l have riddles written on them. People also eat yuanxiao or tangyuan, as these symbolise reunion, harmony, and happiness. In the past, the festival was known as Chinese Valentines Day, and so in ancient times poets wrote poems about the festival telling stories of young lovers. The Lantern Festival
8、The fire dragon dance takes place in Puzhai Town in Guangdong Province every year. People believe the dragon can drive away evil and bring favourable weather for farming. This tradition is more than 300 years old. The Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year a
9、nd it is the first significant festival after Chinese New Year. It also marks the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The main activity during the Lantern Festival is looking at lanterns. On the day of the festival, no matter where you go - the streets, markets, shops, parks, and homes -
10、 you can see beautiful lanterns. Children like to play outside with their lanterns. In the evening, most cities will organise lantern shows which add to the festive atmosphere. The shows have lanterns of different shapes, including animals, flowers, people, buildings, and more. Tapescript Riddles ar
11、e usually written on the lanterns. People crowd around to try to guess the riddles. This is one of the most popular activities since the beginning of the festival. Yuanxiao is the special food of the Lantern Festival. Different fillings are stuffed into balls of sticky rice flour. They are then boil
12、ed and enjoyed by all families on the night of the festival. The round shape of yuanxiao symbolises reunion, harmony, and happiness. Interestingly, the Lantern Festival was known as Chinese Valentines Day in the past. In the old days, young girls were usually not allowed to leave their houses, excep
13、t during the Lantern Festival when they could join the crowds. Therefore, the festival became a rare opportunity that only happened once a year for single people to find love while looking at lanterns. And it was also a good day for lovers to meet. Many ancient Chinese poets have written poems about
14、 the Lantern Festival which describe happy moments and also the stories of young lovers. However, in most parts of China today, the festival has lost these original meanings. With a history of over 2,000 years as a traditional Chinese festival, the Lantern Festival is celebrated both in China and abroad. Chinese people living in any part of the world can experience and share this exciting festival.
