四川自贡：万物成灯 点亮新春

Group 1 - The 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival officially opened on January 23, covering an area of 650 acres and marking the start of the Chinese New Year celebrations [1] - The tradition of celebrating the New Year with lantern festivals dates back to the Tang and Song dynasties, evolving over a thousand years into a cultural symbol of the New Year [1] - Zigong, known for its salt production and trade, has a rich history of lantern-making, which has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage since 2008 [1] Group 2 - The lantern festival utilizes various materials such as bamboo, silk, and porcelain, with innovative designs incorporating modern materials like steel and foam, resulting in larger and more diverse lantern shapes [2] - This year's festival features a 27-meter tall and 130-meter long lantern group called "Endless Life," designed with AI assistance and made from 380,000 silk flowers [2] - The festival includes 11 large lantern groups and over 200 smaller ones, showcasing themes like "Chinese Knot Avenue" and "Mulan Legend," blending Eastern aesthetics with technological charm [2] Group 3 - The "Magical Huaxia" lantern group, 210 meters long, symbolizes China's exploratory spirit, while the "Mulan Legend" group introduces a narrative form through light and shadow [3] - The festival promotes cultural exchange by incorporating children's artwork from over 40 countries, transforming their imaginations into unique lantern designs [3] - Zigong's lantern industry has developed a workforce of 100,000 people, generating an annual output value exceeding 6 billion yuan, capturing 85% of the domestic market [3]