On August 15, the first Dihua Folk Culture Experience Festival along the Shangyu Ancient Road in Danfeng (hereinafter referred to as the “Dihua Folk Festival”) opened at the Shangyu Ancient Road Dihua Cultural Tourism Scenic Area in Danfeng County, Shaanxi Province (hereinafter referred to as the “Dihua Scenic Area”). The event was organized by the Danfeng Office of the Shangyu Ancient Road Cultural Scenic Area Management Committee and co-organized by the Danfeng County Shangyu Ancient Road Cultural Tourism Industry Development Investment Company. The Dihua Folk Festival is part of the “2015 Qinling Ecological Tourism Festival” series in Shangluo City, and also represents an innovative and practical move by the Dihua Scenic Area to build a festival brand, shape the image of the scenic area, and promote the development of the cultural tourism belt along the Shangyu Ancient Road.
This year’s Dihua Folk Festival can be described as “practical, down-to-earth, and full of hometown sentiment.” At the opening ceremony, Jia Pingwa, a renowned contemporary writer from Danfeng, endorsed his hometown Dihua and released his original work “A Message to Dihua.” The Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles awarded the scenic area the title of “Shangyu Ancient Road Provincial Cultural and Artistic Creation Base,” adding a touch of scholarly elegance to the most beautiful countryside. On Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day), the scenic area will host an event titled “Hand in Hand on Qixi, Love Fills the Ancient Town,” where a romantic thousand-acre lotus pond will be lit up, and the song “The Magical Ancient Road” and “Love for Dihua,” performed by Zhou Peng, a famous singer from Shangluo, will echo across the Dan River. The Danfeng County Drama Troupe will present the original dance “DanYang Chao Feng,” while hundreds of children will recite classic Chinese literature such as “Man Jiang Hong” and “Ode to Dihua.” Danfeng people write about Danfeng, speak about Danfeng, sing about Danfeng, and dance about Danfeng — all embodying the spirit of “Danfeng people loving Danfeng.” It is this deep passion that ignites the torch of the Dihua Folk Festival, attracting more people from Danfeng, Shangluo, Shaanxi, and across China to pay attention, participate, and engage.
Photo 3: Performance Scene at the First Dihua Folk Culture Experience Festival Along the Shangyu Ancient Road in Danfeng