Lantern Festival Gala a showcase of folk culture alongside big stars

The annual Lantern Festival Gala was held in Beijing on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

The annual television gala celebrating the Lantern Festival was hosted in Beijing on Tuesday night. Performances incorporating aspects of China’s ancient cultural heritage were among the highlights of this year’s show, including displays of traditional lanterns, and sugar painting and sculpting.

The annual Lantern Festival Gala was held in Beijing on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Alongside demonstrations of these folk crafts were Chinese operas, comedy skits, and musical performances that incorporated traditional Chinese instruments. Martial artists also took to the stage to show off their skills.

Some of the stars who took part in this year’s Lantern Festival Gala included Lay Zhang, Leo Ku, Li Guyi, the TF Boys, and Gulnazar.

The annual Lantern Festival Gala was held in Beijing on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

The Chinese Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and it marks the end of the Chinese New Year's celebration. Traditionally, people light lanterns, solve puzzles, enjoy the sight of the bright full moon, and eat yuanxiao, which is a type of sweet glutinous rice dumpling traditionally enjoyed at this time of year.

The annual Lantern Festival Gala was held in Beijing on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

The Lantern Festival Gala was staged by China Media Group. It is the first Lantern Festival Gala to be hosted by the Group since it was established in March, and comes soon after the national must-see television event, the Spring Festival Gala.