The Yellow River Fairs

The Yellow River, China’s second longest river, is considered 【小题1】 birthplace of Chinese civilization. For thousands of years, the people living along its banks have 【小题2】(continuous) developed their rich and lively cultures that have lasted to this day.

To make people familiarize themselves 【小题3】its rich culture and plentiful products, Shandong province has organized fairs 【小题4】 (name) after the river throughout the year, with some events held in communities to involve more people. At the fairs, all are available from handicrafts, agricultural products, local delicious foods to performances.

At one fair in a community in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong, in late October, more than ten 【小题5】 (type) of handicrafts were on show. The fair builds a bridge between intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) producers 【小题6】 consumers. Using items that represent 【小题7】 (tradition) culture is a good way to pass on culture.

At the fair, 60-something Yu Shaoqing, 【小题8】 was selling animal-shaped textile (纺织品) products, attracted a lot of buyers. Many young people 【小题9】 (show) an interest in his products and bought them to decorate their rooms and cars. Yu said the fair had provided them with an opportunity 【小题10】 (improve) their products and exchange ideas. Folk crafts need new ideas to make them popular with modern consumers.

Known as the birthplace of kites, Weifang in Shandong province has 【小题1】long history of making them which can date back to 2,000 years ago. They were 【小题2】 (original) used by the military for measuring 【小题3】 (distant) and communication purposes. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), kites started to be popular with ordinary people as entertainment. Made from bamboo and featuring traditional Chinese paintings, Weifang kite-making was included in the national cultural heritage list in 2006. International Kite Festival 【小题4】 (hold) in Weifang every year since 1984.

Yang Hongwei, a kite-making expert, believes the cultural context behind their kites is unique. Once she made a kite 【小题5】(show) a phoenix head lined with pictures of 50 famous women in Chinese history on each side. To draw these pictures, she 【小题6】(spend) lots of effort and time checking 【小题7】 (history) records and discussing the details with professionals. “It’s time-consuming,” Yang added, “but 【小题8】 I explain the stories on the kites to foreign customers, I feel a sense of great achievement.” 【小题9】her spare time, she also travels to different countries including Germany, Australia, the US and New Zealand to tell people about Chinese stories 【小题10】 (see) on kites and the traditional ways of making kites.

In Chinese culture, each year is related to 【小题1】Chinese animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. People born during the year of dog 【小题2】 ( believe) to take after some of the animal’s characteristics, such as loyalty, patience, and reliability.

Zodiac(黄道) theory also relates to Chinese elemental theory, 【小题3】associates the 12 animals with one of five elements :metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements 【小题4】 (combine) with the 12 zodiac signs produce a 60-year cycle. Zodiac animals have both fixed and non-fixed elements attached 【小题5】them. For example, the dog (as well as the dragon, ox, and goat) is always associated with the earth element. 【小题6】the year of 2018 is considered an earth year according to the Chinese solar calendar, those born in 2018 are considered earth dogs, which carry characteristics like being communicative and responsible at work. Though dogs are 【小题7】 (general ) associated with earth, those born during the metal dog year are believed to be conservative and 【小题8】 (caution) in nature. As Dogs are not good at communication, it is difficult for them to convey their 【小题9】 ( think) to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the impression that they have a stubborn 【小题10】( personal) , but they are indeed loyal to their families and friends.