Dragon-lion festival highlights tradition, unity in Jianghua

A grand dragon-lion lantern festival illuminated Jianghua Yao autonomous county on Wednesday evening in Yongzhou, Hunan province. The event was part of a series of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the county's founding.

Seventy teams from across the county and beyond gathered at a park square at 7:30 pm. Performers, ranging in age from 9 to 85, dazzled the audience with traditional dragon and lion figures, creating intricate patterns to the rhythm of drums and cheers. Among the highlights was an impressive 200-meter-long dragon with 77 sections, presented by a team from Shengang village, and a multicolored dragon maneuvered by 1,000 performers.

Following the show, performers paraded through the county's main streets to spread the festive spirit.

Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Yongzhou, the dragon-lion lantern festival tradition in Jianghua is kept alive by more than 300 active troupes.