Ritual kicks off fishing festival
- Details
- Category: Ningbo District
- Published: Tuesday, 25 September 2012 15:13
A grand sacrificial ceremony held in Xiangshan of Ningbo last Sunday kicked off the 15th China Fishing Festival. Xiangshan, the famous fishing county, is one of the six largest fishing ports in China.
Luo Fuhe, Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), announced the opening of the 15th China Fishing Festival. Meanwhile, many government officials, related experts and scholars from many international and national marine organizations, marine research institutes, colleges and universities attended the ceremony together with other honored guests home and abroad.
After Ma Weiguang, Ningbo's Vice Mayor, delivered an opening speech, Zhao Limin, director of the Provincial Oceanic and Fisheries Bureau, announced the beginning of the fishing season. Exactly at 12 o'clock at noon, with the first sound of the gong as a symbol for sailing, thousands of ships were leaving for their "first fishing journey".
In local tradition, the fishermen in Xiangshan hold a sacrificial rite for the sea at the beginning of each fishing season, appreciating the bounty of the ocean and praying for safety and good harvest. The China Fishing Festival was first launched in 1998. Up to now, it is successfully held annually throughout 14 years. Over the past 14 years, the China Fishing Festival has developed diversified features. It comprises of ceremonies, forums, performances, trade and tourism, and a dozen of colorful activities. In recent years, the sacrificial ceremony became a major part of the China Fishing Festival, which aims to promote the fishing culture of the region.
