“Hoist the cloud sails, hey la hey la, hang up the rainbow, hey la hey la, ride the wind and waves into Dongting Yo…” This melodious and heroic chant is from the national intangible cultural heritage “Dongting Fishing Songs.” The 800-li Dongting Lake, with its long history and water culture, has nurtured many splendid fishing cultures such as blessing through fishing and the Dongting fishing songs. But with the passage of time, these traditional cultures have gradually faded from our view. Recently, however, the solemn and reverent fish-hauling ceremony on Dongting South Lake will be revived, and the long-silent Dongting fishing songs will once again resound across the lake. On December 25th, “I Am the Fishing King” — the First Dongting South Lake Fish-Hauling Festival and the Fun Fishing King Challenge Competition — will be spectacularly staged at Yueyang’s Dongting South Lake Fishermen’s Wharf.
Blessings through fishing, songs echoing each other — an inheritance gala of Dongting fishing culture
The “I Am the Fishing King” — First Dongting South Lake Fish-Hauling Festival and the Fun Fishing King Challenge Competition, to be held on December 25th, revives and reinterprets the traditional blessing-through-fishing ritual that has been passed down for thousands of years, while the Dongting fishing songs, passed down orally among fishermen, will also be sung anew. Veteran fishermen who have spent their lives on the water burn incense in worship and recite prayers for a bountiful harvest… This solemn and sacred celebration of fishing culture will be grandly held on the shores of Dongting South Lake on December 25th, and Hunan Economic TV’s “Live Big Events” will broadcast the entire event live.
Giant net fishing, fishing king showdown — the Dongting South Lake sings the harvest anthem
Dongting Lake has long been known as a land of fish and rice, with records showing over 170 species of fish. At the “I Am the Fishing King” — First Dongting South Lake Fish-Hauling Festival and the Fun Fishing King Challenge Competition on December 25th, after a solemn and enthusiastic blessing ceremony, the first net of Dongting — symbolizing the official start of the fish haul — will be cast under the guidance of experienced veteran fishermen. As this net goes into the water, around 2 million jin (approx. 1 million kg) of fresh lake fish swimming in Dongting South Lake will be hauled ashore. Among them will emerge the 2016 Dongting Fishing King. Don’t miss the chance to witness the grandeur of the Fishing King and be amazed by the giant net fishing.
There will also be a fun challenge competition to crown the “Fishing King”! Thirty guests, together with Mango TV celebrity hosts, will tackle exciting challenges such as magical fishing and the hundred-jin Fishing King ice runway — continuous thrills and great fun.
Public welfare support, foodie treats — warmth for both heart and stomach at Dongting South Lake
It is understood that all rewards from this Fish-Hauling Festival and Fishing King Challenge Competition will be donated to public welfare causes. Contestants will carry heavy blessings as they walk on the ice, bringing winter warmth to those in need. In addition, a public welfare support campaign will be simultaneously launched on the official WeChat platform of “Dongting South Lake,” gathering the kindness of everyone to create the warmest public welfare force of the winter.
In addition, renowned chefs from Dongting will gather on-site to cook exquisitely fresh hand-made fish balls using the freshly caught lake delicacies, which will be offered free for visitors to taste. On the day of the event, lucky audience members and underprivileged students will be invited to enjoy the uniquely flavorful Dongting Eight Delicacies Banquet. What kind of epicurean feast will the freshness of the lake create?
On December 25th, at Dongting South Lake, we’ll give you the answer.