June 10th this year is China’s Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China, typically celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar (which falls between May and June in the Gregorian calendar).
The Meaning and Qu Yuan
This festival carries rich cultural significance and has a history dating back over two thousand years to the Warring States period. It commemorates Qu Yuan, a great poet of the Chu state (circa 340-278 BCE), who drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in protest against the corruption of his time.
Memory
To honor his memory, the people paddled boats and shouted his name, trying to recover his body, and threw rice dumplings (zongzi) into the river to prevent fish from eating his body.
The Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated with various customs, the most well-known being dragon boat racing and eating zongzi. Other traditional practices include hanging mugwort, wearing sachets, drinking realgar wine, and making zongzi. Among these, dragon boat racing and making zongzi are essential celebrations for Chinese communities worldwide.
Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon boat racing is one of the most iconic activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boats are long and narrow, typically decorated with a dragon’s head at the bow. Participants paddle in unison, creating a lively and competitive atmosphere. This year, a vibrant dragon boat race was also held at Idroscalo Lake in Milan. Dragon boat racing is not only a traditional sport in China but also a cultural symbol.
Eating Zongzi
Zongzi, the traditional food of the Dragon Boat Festival, consists of glutinous rice stuffed with fillings such as meat or sweet bean paste, wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, and then boiled. Due to different regional dietary preferences, zongzi has developed distinct southern and northern styles. There are also two main flavor categories: savory and sweet.
The aroma of zongzi can be found wherever there are Chinese communities around the world, including at the Taste of Oriente market in the Tempio del Futuro Perduto in Milan.
Taste of Oriente Market
Since the Taste of Oriente market announced the recruitment of stall owners in September 2023, it has quickly attracted a large number of talented young Chinese individuals. These participants excel in showcasing their hometown delicacies or expressing novel ideas through painting, weaving, embroidery, pottery, and other crafts. Every Sunday, the market is packed with Chinese people from various regions and curious Italians.
Tito’s Opinion
According to Tito, a member of the Tempio del Futuro Perduto association, the market has hosted approximately 30 events, with around 500 stall owners successfully registering and participating. During its most bustling event, the small venue accommodated 35 stalls and attracted 3,000 visitors.
The stalls at the Taste of Oriente market mainly feature Chinese regional foods, handicrafts, and displays of intangible cultural heritage.
Taste of Hometown
China’s vast territory and diverse population have resulted in a rich culinary culture. Besides the Han Chinese, who make up 91% of the population, there are 55 ethnic minority groups, each with distinct clothing, languages, and dietary habits. Food encapsulates local customs and becomes a unique symbol of regional folklore, reflecting the material and social life of the area.
Young Italians
In Italy, another gastronomic country, young people from various Chinese cities and ethnic groups have come together to share their hometown flavors. This convergence is not only a meeting of different ethnicities but also a fusion of diverse ingredients.
Use of Food
Chinese people use food to mark every reunion and separation, with flavors bearing witness to changes in times and places and the nuances of everyday life. The market has seen young people from China’s Uyghur and Uzbek communities, among others, bringing the tastes of their homeland. One standout example is the delicious baked buns from Xinjiang, which sold an impressive 450 units.
Handicrafts
Many still associate Chinese handicrafts with the stereotype of mass-produced “Made in China” products. However, an increasing number of creative young Chinese are working to change this perception through their unique efforts. Products such as handmade jewelry, clay animals, sachets with oriental plant scents, and woven bags showcase the vibrant expressions of contemporary Chinese youth.
Traditional Cultural Activities
The market often exudes an atmosphere rich in Chinese traditional culture, featuring activities like intricate paper cutting, ancient clothing displays, and guqin performances. Recently, the intangible cultural heritage craft of flower hairpins made a stunning debut at the Taste of Oriente market. Flower hairpins are traditional Chinese hair accessories, typically fixed to the bun with a hairpin and adorned with flowers or other materials. In ancient times, fisherwomen wore these flower hairpins to express wishes for peace and well-being. The “new Chinese style” trend reflects a resurgence and recognition of traditional cultural aesthetics among the public.
In conclusion, the Taste of Oriente market has become a vibrant hub for cultural exchange, where food, crafts, and traditional activities bring people together, creating a unique blend of old and new, east and west.
Dragon Boat Festival Celebrations
During the Dragon Boat Festival, Qiuya, a girl from Wuhan, China, meticulously prepared zongzi by hand and arranged other carefully crafted hometown snacks at her stall. Her Italian partner handled packaging and payments. Normally busy with their clothing brand during the week, they dedicated their weekends to making and selling these traditional Chinese delicacies. Qiuya’s passion for cooking allowed her to recreate memories of her hometown and flavors from her travels, and the satisfaction on her customers’ faces brought her immense joy. The Taste of Oriente market also attracted many other Chinese vendors from different cities. Two girls from Turin, for example, aimed to introduce the flavors of Chinese tea to a wider audience. They hand-painted ink paintings on different tea packages, which, combined with the aroma of the tea, drew many customers.
An Encounter of Cultures
Throughout China’s thousands of years of history, different ethnic groups and dynasties have created a myriad of cultural treasures. Now, this small market space gathers people who love Chinese culture. A group of young individuals express their innovation and heritage of traditional culture in their unique ways, showcasing various items to piece together a complete image of China, hoping to change the stereotypes that people in other countries might have about China.
Tito Again
According to Tito, a member of the Tempio del Futuro Perduto association, unlike Oriental culture exhibitions in museums, the Taste of Oriente market vividly brings the street life scenes of China to life through taste, smell, and sight, allowing more Italian friends to experience Chinese culture firsthand. This place is not only a venue for Chinese cultural exchange but also a spiritual home for artists.
Tempio del Futuro Perduto
The smooth progress of the Taste of Oriente market would not be possible without the strong support of Tempio del futuro perduto. Tempio is the first independent multidisciplinary cultural center recognized by Italian law. Born from the collective need to live safe spaces with avant-garde inclusive policies.
The Interior of the Temple
Inside an abandoned building that housed a train factory, a group of artists has given new life to an entire neighborhood thanks to humanitarian, creative, artistic and eco-sustainable activities.The cultural center lives without commercial sponsors, the engine that gives life to all this are cultural initiatives, weekly clubbing events and festivals that give emerging artists the opportunity to dialogue with guests from all over the world.
The Laboratories
Among its daily activities, Tempio hosts dozens of traditional and multi-ethnic performing arts workshops, exhibitions, training courses, and an impressive book-sharing program. The collective’s efforts also extend to philanthropy, particularly through the Wall of Kindness—a space outside the building where clothing, books, shoes, and other items donated by visitors are made available to those in need. This initiative exemplifies the center’s commitment to fostering a community spirit and providing support to the less fortunate.
At Tempio del Futuro Perduto, art knows no borders, and culture transcends race
Through inclusivity and kindness, a spiritual home has been created, welcoming countless young people from around the world. As their slogan on the wall says: “In tempi oscuri abbiamo il dovere di sognare ad occhi aperti” （”In dark times, we have the duty to dream with our eyes open.”）
I was there and despite the weather many people enjoy the event. I personally tried a delicious jasmine tea， but there were so many dishes with the real taste of china. Go there if you can’t go to China.