The Jincun village temple fair opens in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
On May 15, the Jincun village temple fair commenced in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province. It is set to run until May 19.
This is the busiest time of year for the thousand-year-old ancient village. During the fair, folk performance teams made up of local villagers beat drums and gongs and perform vibrant dances to commemorate Jin Qi, a hero from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) who led villagers in resisting Japanese invaders. The fair also features captivating displays of traditional folk culture, including dragon and lion dances.
A dragon dance is performed during the temple fair. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
The temple fair, recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage item, dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). During the Ming Dynasty, the village faced repeated invasions from Japanese pirates. Jin led the villagers in resisting the invaders but ultimately sacrificed his life for the cause. A temple was erected later in his memory, revered by generations of villagers.
Today, the fair has evolved into a showcase of folk culture. To celebrate this event, families in the village prepare a variety of dishes to welcome friends and relatives coming from far and wide to join the festivities.
In recent years, the local government has utilized the temple fair as a cultural platform, developing tourism attractions such as the Jincun village ancient street.
A dragon dance is performed during the temple fair. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]