STORY: Canadian expat experiences cultural heritages in Guangdong
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 10, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 13, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:38
LOCATION: ZHONGSHAN, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Zhongshan
2. SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
3. various of dragon dance performances
4. SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
5. SOUNDBITE (English): Spectators
6. SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
7. various of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Zhongshan

STORYLINE:
SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"This is the first day of the Chinese New Year. This is the year of the dragon. I have never seen these many dragons before in my life. It is amazing, so interesting, so fabulous. And they have a saying in Chinese, ren shan ren hai (a massive crowd of people). I understand that now. There are people everywhere."

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"Too heavy. How much does it weigh?"

SOUNDBITE (English): Dragon dancer
"28 jin (14 kg)."

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"28 jin? Wow."

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"Touch the head of the Cloud Dragon, and may you be healthy and live a long life."

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"Should I pull it?"

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"The dragon is a cultural totem of the Chinese people, representing one of the zodiacs of the nation. Dragon culture has spanned thousands of years, permeating various aspects of Chinese society. Chinese people proudly call themselves descendants of the dragon. Why do they love dragons so much? Well, I did some research before. And different from dragons in Western mythology, Chinese dragons are actually auspicious creatures, symbolizing power, nobility, benevolence and good fortune."

As we saw in the "Journey to the West", the dragon king is responsible for the rainfall. And in the agricultural era, Chinese people would pray for bountiful harvests and good weather to the dragon king by making sacrifices. These traditions have carried on today.

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"But not only do they carry tradition, they also carry the hopes for a better tomorrow. So I want to ask some people what are their hopes for this upcoming Chinese New Year."

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"Hi. Can I ask you what are your hopes for this Chinese New Year?"

SOUNDBITE (English): Spectators
"I want my year to be dynamic, healthy and energetic."

"I want to earn much more money. The money will roll in."

"I wish I'll live in abundance, being prosperous in the new year."

"I wish my kid will grow up healthy and strong."

"I wish my career will go smoothly with a bright prospect."

SOUNDBITE (English): ADRIAN BERZENJI, Canadian expat
"For me, through my Zhongshan, I look forward to many new and exciting adventures here in beautiful Zhongshan."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Zhongshan, China.
(XHTV)