On the evening of May 21, with the spectacular finale of the last water screen light show, the "First Jiaozuo Hanfu Anime Culture Week," jointly organized by the People's Government of Jiefang District, the China Five Thousand Years Animation Culture Project Promotion Association, and the People's Daily Cartoon Supplement, concluded successfully at Jiaozuo Film and Television City. The five-day event attracted nearly 100,000 visitors to enjoy this rich cultural experience, with over 130 mainstream and online media outlets covering the event, and continued public interest and discussion surrounding the festival.
The curtain may have fallen, but the legacy of Han-style culture lingers on.
During the culture week,
which performances left a lasting impression?
Which highlights were widely praised?
What “Easter eggs” remain undiscovered?
And what future expectations are we looking forward to?
Now, let’s follow these keywords
to revisit those memorable moments.
Keyword One Breathtaking
During the culture week, the Three Sovereigns Worship Ceremony was performed daily in the morning at the film city. Accompanied by ceremonial music and drumbeats, formations dressed in Hanfu — including flag-bearers, feather-holding squads, Han-style contingents, and Tang-style troupes — marched out in sequence from the east and west palace gates, proceeding slowly toward the central altar of the square. The altar was adorned with offerings of the five grains, three sacrificial animals, fresh flowers, and seasonal delicacies, while dragon-themed flags fluttered fiercely along both sides of the walkway. With over a hundred participants performing live and visitors watching up close, the grand ceremony left the entire audience in awe.
In addition to the Three Sovereigns Worship Ceremony, the building light projections and water screen light shows performed every evening, with their vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and highly impactful visuals, also treated visitors to an unforgettable light and shadow spectacle.
Keyword Two Striking
During the culture week, many people took to the streets dressed in Hanfu, with flowing garments and an air of ancient charm.
Inside the film city, though some staff wore Hanfu, most participants came of their own volition simply because they loved it. These Hanfu enthusiasts wore either luxurious Qi-style short dresses, flowing open-front robes, or outfits in hues of moon-white, apricot-yellow, vermilion, and light blue... appearing as if figures stepped gracefully out of a painting. The beauty and elegance of Hanfu were evident in their every movement. They formed a delightful and pleasing sight all their own.
With beautiful stage settings, elaborate program arrangements, and youthful performers, the stage shows during the culture week were also a major highlight. These included Hanfu fashion shows that showcased ancient attire in panoramic detail, traditional Chinese-style musical performances beloved by young people, and period dramas that left visitors thoroughly entertained and visually satisfied.
Keyword Three Integration
The terms “first-ever” and “Jiaozuo” became hot topics frequently mentioned by local residents and media throughout the culture week. According to staff from one of the organizers, the China Five Thousand Years Animation Culture Project Promotion Association, Jiaozuo has a profound historical and cultural foundation, which aligns perfectly with the theme of the culture week. During the planning process, they researched extensively into Jiaozuo’s historical and cultural records, specially visited the five-tier painted pottery granary towers unearthed in Jiaozuo, and incorporated distinctive local elements such as Tai Chi, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, and the pottery granary towers into the design of the LOGO, promotional imagery, and program concepts. This effort helped create a unique cultural IP, which was ultimately presented flawlessly to visitors.
Moreover, the building light projections and water screen light shows, which deeply integrated light and shadow technology with the real scenery of the scenic area, also allowed visitors to appreciate the beauty of the fusion between tradition and modernity, classicism and technology.
Keyword Four Anticipation
Over five days, the event welcomed nearly 100,000 visitors, achieving over 6 million clicks and views. Comments such as “amazing,” “fun,” “not enough,” and “want to come again” poured in... Local citizens expressed high anticipation for the next Hanfu anime culture week.
Ms. Liu, a local resident, said: “Rebuilding cultural confidence is not just empty talk. Judging by these young people’s love for traditional lifestyles, I think there is great hope. This Hanfu Culture Festival was very lively, and I hope it will be held every year, with the scale expanded even more, turning it into a better platform for interactive experiences with traditional culture. This will provide more innovative practical experience to further promote the integration of culture and tourism, strengthen cultural confidence, and support Jiaozuo in becoming a culturally distinctive and charming city.”