As an important birthplace of the Maritime Silk Road, Guangzhou has a long history of maritime culture. The "Bolodan" (the birthday of the sea god) temple fair, held annually from the 11th to the 13th day of the second lunar month at the Nanhai Temple, is one of the largest traditional folk temple fairs in Guangzhou and is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
It Is reported that this year's Huangpu "Bolodan" temple fair will be held from March 20th to March 22nd, lasting for three days. Adding a touch of technology to culture, the adoption of digital technology is a major highlight this year.
The opening ceremony featuring digital art innovation will be held in the evening for the first time, with spectacular performances by luminous dragons and lions to kick off the event. Traditional martial arts, drum music, opera, and modern technological dragons and lions will be presented, fully showcasing the charm of the integration of culture and technology, bringing unparalleled visual experiences to the audience.
Time travel for literary gathering
Strolling through the temple fair, enjoying the beautiful scenery, exploring intangible cultural heritage, composing poetry… This year's temple fair is full of ancient charm. During the period, flash mobs of intangible cultural heritage activities allow visitors to appreciate Cantonese opera, Cantonese music, traditional Han music, and more up close. Along the way, they can immerse themselves in popular photo-taking spots, specialty food streets, cultural and creative markets, etc.,obtaining a one-stop playing experience.
During this time, there will also be a "China chic garden party" that integrates ancient style, culture, and entertainment waiting for citizens and tourists. NPCs (non-player characters) dressed in gorgeous costumes will join the crowd to visit the temple fair and appreciate the beautiful scenery, allowing visitors to travel through time and experience the splendor of the Tang and Song dynasties.
At the temple fair, enthusiasts of poetry and literature can find a scene of grandeur. Since the Song Dynasty, literati often gathered at the Nanhai Temple to admire the beautiful sunrise over the river and compose poetry, gradually forming the "Zhangqiu Poetry Society." This year's "Bolodan" will focus on promoting poetry and literature, hosting the first "Literature Enjoyment Conference" in 2024, and inviting renowned writer Zhu Shanpo as the main guest speaker to exchange and share experiences in poetry creation. After the event, writers will go to Nanhai Temple with poetry enthusiasts to gather inspiration and create poetic works, continuing the millennium-old tradition of poetry gatherings in a new form.
Three days of continuous excitement in maritime silk road culture
As the venue for "Bolodan," the Suidong Street in Huangpu District will host a series of cultural exhibitions and performances around the Nanhai Temple, including dragon boat ceremonies, Cantonese opera performances, "Yuexiang Suidong" live music concerts, and other activities totaling 20 sessions over three days. Miaotou Subway Station will set up themed photo-taking spots, and commemorative subway tickets themed "Maritime Silk Road at Suidong" will be printed and sold to better promote maritime silk culture.
During the "Bolodan" period, the Guangzhou Maritime Museum will collaborate with the Nanhai Temple to hold a series of unique cultural exhibitions and activities, incorporating highly experiential parent-child interactive games and introducing elements of Italian maritime culture, providing visitors with an unprecedented cultural experience. Additionally, the Guangzhou Maritime Museum will host a special "Museum Matchmaking" event, continuing the tradition of "engaging in Bolodan, getting married" in a modern context.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
来“穿越时空”！广州黄埔“波罗诞”千年庙会3月20日开幕
广州作为海上丝绸之路重要发祥地，海丝文化源远流长。南海神庙丰富的祀典文化绵延千年，每年农历二月十一至十三日在此举行的“波罗诞”千年庙会是广州地区最大的民间传统庙会之一，被列入国家级非物质文化遗产名录。
据了解，今年黄埔“波罗诞”千年庙会将于3月20日至3月22日举办，为期三天。为文化插上科技翅膀，碰撞“数字”之花，是今年一大亮点。
此次数字艺术创新开幕式首次设置在晚上，夜光龙和夜光狮的精彩表演将为活动拉开序幕。传统武术、鼓乐、戏曲与现代科技龙、科技狮相互碰撞，充分展现文化与科技交融之魅力，为观众带来无与伦比的视觉体验。
穿越时空与文人墨客“对酒当歌”
逛庙会、赏美景，探非遗，对诗歌……今年黄埔“波罗诞”千年庙会古韵古味十足。“波罗诞”期间的非遗快闪活动让游客零距离体验粤剧、粤曲、汉乐等非遗文化，沿途可以沉浸式参与网红打卡装置、特色美食街、文创集市等，满足一站式游玩体验。
其间，还有一场集古风、文化、娱乐于一体的“国风游园会”等着广大市民游客。现场将有NPC（非玩家角色）身着华丽服饰，与民众一同逛庙会、赏美景，让游客们穿越时空，领略唐宋风华。
在黄埔“波罗诞”中，诗词歌赋的爱好者可以寻得一方盛景。自宋代以来，文人墨客常在南海神庙观江海日出美景、咏叹作诗，逐渐形成以诗会友的雅集——“章丘诗会”。今年“波罗诞”将以诗词推广为主题，举办2024年首场“文学阅享会”活动，邀请知名作家朱山坡为主讲嘉宾，以诗会友，交流分享诗词创作心得。活动后文学家将与诗词爱好者一同前往南海神庙采风，创作诗词作品，以新的形式延续千年诗会传统。
海丝文化一连三天精彩不停
作为“波罗诞”举办地，黄埔区穗东街道将在南海神庙周边举办系列文化展演活动，包括龙舟朝王、粤剧展演、“粤响穗东”Live音乐会等内容，3天共计20场次活动。庙头地铁站则设置了波罗诞主题打卡点，同时印制发售“海丝穗东”主题“一日通”纪念地铁票，更好地弘扬海丝文化。
“波罗诞”期间，广州海事博物馆将联动南海神庙，举办多场独具特色的文化展览和活动，融入体验感极强的亲子互动游戏，并引入意大利海洋文化元素，为参观者带来前所未有的文化体验。此外，广州海事博物馆还将特别举办“博物馆里组CP”单身联谊活动，延续“游波罗，娶老婆”的佳话。
文｜记者 卢佳圳 实习生 李雨轩
图｜李剑锋
翻译｜刘佳慧