Folk celebrations mark Laba Festival in Shandong district

Calligraphers write Spring Festival couplets for the residents. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A cultural event celebrating the Laba Festival was held on Jan 7 in Laiwu district, Jinan, Shandong province.

Volunteers prepared delicious Laba porridge early in the morning using red dates, lotus seeds, peanuts, and red beans. When residents sampled it, they gave a thumbs up and said it was not only a gesture of love but also a continuation of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Calligraphy artists from the district also attended the event and wrote Spring Festival couplets.

On the other side, medical staff provided free consultations. While offering medical advice to patients, they also shared knowledge about health.

Tourism and cultural promotion officials from Laiwu announced upcoming events, including the Spring Festival lantern exhibition, Laiwu bangzi opera performances, and mass art exhibitions.

This event is also part of Laiwu's 2025 "Yellow River Bazaar". Diverse cultural products, as well as specialty agricultural products, kept people engaged.

"Through colorful folk performances, we hope that the public can not only enjoy the festive joy but also deeply appreciate the charm of traditional culture," said Liu Keming, president of the Laiwu Volunteer Service Federation. （Edited by Li Weiwei）