On October 11, the opening ceremony of the 2024 "Mazu Festival" cultural series of activities and the "Ode to Mazu and Share Peace" prayer ceremony were grandly opened. The opening ceremony was presided over by Shen Mengya, chairman of the Putian CPPCC.
At the scene, Yuan Jingui, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the 11th Fujian Provincial People's Congress and honorary president of the China Mazu Cultural Exchange Association, announced the opening of the 2024 "Mazu Festival" cultural series of activities of the China Mazu Cultural Exchange Association.
"In the new era and new journey, we should enhance cultural self-confidence, strengthen responsibility, build the brand of Mazu cultural activities with a higher position, and promote the integrated development of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait with greater efforts." Su Yongge, director of the Standing Committee of the Putian Municipal People's Congress, emphasized in his speech.
Ke Wenzheng, a representative of Taiwan compatriots and chairman of the Taiwan Notre Dame Cultural Exchange Association, proposed that it is necessary to further strengthen exchanges with the Chinese Mazu Cultural Exchange Association, work with mainland compatriots to draw a beautiful historical picture of cross-strait Mazu cultural exchanges, and jointly compose the hymn of the times for the development of cross-strait Mazu culture, so as to contribute to deepening cross-strait integration and development.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China Mazu Cultural Exchange Association and the 15th anniversary of the inclusion of Mazu beliefs and customs on the Representative List for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." Yu Jianzhong, former vice chairman of the Putian CPPCC and executive vice president of the China Mazu Cultural Exchange Association, hopes that the majority of Mazu cultural institutions can not forget their original aspirations, unite and struggle, take Mazu culture as a link, explore a new road of cross-strait integrated development, build a cross-strait integrated development demonstration area, and make new contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the great cause of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
At the "Ode to Mazu and Sharing Peace" prayer ceremony after the opening ceremony, Yu Jianzhong, executive vice president of the association, Lin Jinbang, vice president and secretary general of the association, honorary chairman of the board of directors of Meizhou Mazu Temple, Zhao Liucheng, vice president and chairman of Shanghai Yucheng Tianci Jewelry Co., Ltd., Ke Wenzheng, chairman of the Taiwan Three Mothers Cultural Exchange Association, Xiao Jinzhen, head of the exchange center of the association's calligraphy and painting institute, as the main mourners, and representatives of various Mazu cultural institutions participated in the blessing activity.
"All over the world praise China, and praise Mazu for thousands of generations." The guests were full of piety. The wonderful programs at the blessing ceremony made the online and offline audiences feast their eyes.
According to reports, this year's "Mazu Festival" cultural series of activities, compared with previous years, has a longer time, more content, higher taste, and a wider range of participation. In addition to the six online displays, the opening ceremony of the offline 2024 "Mazu Festival" cultural series of activities, and the "Ode to Mazu and Sharing Peace" blessing ceremony, the launching ceremony of the 2024 Mazu Cultural Carnival, the 2024 Mazu Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo, the "Five Lakes and Four Seas Praise China· Thousands of Generations of Praise Mazu" series of Baigong Mazu stationed in Yiming Building, the Global Calligraphy and Painting Ode to Mazu Exhibition, the original singer "Ode to Mazu and Share Peace" party, the 2024 "Mazu Cup" National G12 Junior High School Men's Basketball Invitational Tournament, Puxian Opera Performance, etc.
"Since October 3 (the first day of the ninth lunar month), we have continued to hold it for nearly half a month, hoping to show the image of great love, peace and peace of Chinese Mazu through the organic integration of ritual, participation and modernity." Yu Jianzhong said. (Lin Zhaoxi)