A Spring Festival bench dragon parade takes place in Pujiang county. [Photo/Tide News]
A Spring Festival bench dragon parade kicked off in Pujiang county, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Feb 8.
Six folk art performance teams and nearly a thousand performers came together for the dragon dance, infusing the ancient county with a festive spirit.
Amid the resonating sounds of gongs and drums, performers showed off their skills with the bench dragons, captivating the audience with their seamless coordination. The colorful "dragons" came to life, soaring and diving, sparking rounds of applause from the delighted spectators.
The Pujiang bench dragon, with its history tracing back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), consists of dozens and even up to thousands of benches and lanterns, which blend calligraphy and painting.
Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2006 and included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, the Pujiang bench dragon dance is a cherished tradition that integrates sports, acrobatics, and dance forms into a wonderful spectacle.
The parade, steeped in history and tradition, serves as a vibrant gathering of folk arts, embodying wishes for prosperity, happiness, and well-being.
