An expat shares her stories in China with attendees at a Lantern Festival celebratory activity in Huacao town in the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]
Eighteen foreign and Chinese families recently took part in a Lantern Festival celebratory activity in Huacao town in the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District.
Expats from France, Russia, Malaysia and Cambodia learned about the festival's origin and customs, and tried their hands at making tangyuan – a staple delicacy for the festival, and lanterns. They also tried solving lantern riddles.
"The lantern festival is cute and interesting," said Lim Siew Ming, whose parents are from Malaysia and Cambodia.
"We celebrated Lantern Festival before, but it is our first time to observe the occasion with Chinese families," the 10-year-old said.
Chinese and foreign residents make tangyuan, a kind of stuffed glutinous rice ball eaten during Lantern Festival. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]
"The Lantern Festival celebration was just a start, and we have planned another five such events for Duanwu Festival, Mid-autumn Festival, Qixi Festival and Spring Festival, and are anticipating more foreign families to join us," said Tang Peili, an official from Huacao town.
Located five kilometers away from the Hongqiao Transportation Hub, Huacao town has 11 international residential areas and four international schools, and is home to nearly 6,000 foreign residents from 76 countries and regions.
"The festive celebration is more than an activity, but a platform for international communication," Tang said.
It is part of Huacao town's efforts to build an international city that is attractive to more foreign friends and multinational corporations, according to Tang.
A girl learns to arrange flowers at the Lantern Festival-themed activity. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]
