As the times have changed, the Spring Festival, China's most important traditional festival, seems to be undergoing some kind of transformation. Some traditional customs and cultures are gradually disappearing and being replaced by new ways of celebrating. But behind this, there are also some thought-provoking questions.
First of all, there is a clear phenomenon of the younger generation's alienation from cooking. For the children of the post-90s, post-00s and the future, it has become increasingly rare for them to be able to cook a hearty meal by themselves. Whenever the Spring Festival comes, we always habitually see mothers busy in the kitchen, steaming, boiling, stewing, and all kinds of dishes. My generation, on the other hand, seems to have lost interest in these traditional culinary techniques. Even, even the most basic egg fried rice is too troublesome, let alone prepare a table of New Year's dinner for the whole family.
Behind this, it may be related to the improvement of material life. With the improvement of living standards, we no longer need to celebrate the festival by making our own food as we used to. However, this convenience has also cost us some precious cultural practices. Cooking is not only a skill, but also a cultural inheritance and an expression of emotions. In the hectic modern society, should we rediscover this tradition and make the celebration of the Spring Festival more meaningful?
Another notable phenomenon is that more and more people are choosing to spend the New Year in hotels. Every Spring Festival, major hotels are always overcrowded, and a table is hard to find. While it's true that dining in a hotel saves a lot of hassle, this way of celebrating seems to have lost the essence of Chinese New Year. In the countryside, the family sits around and makes a table of meals with their own hands, and the overflow of family affection and the warmth of reunion cannot be measured by money. And in the high-rise buildings of big cities, whether you are a large flat or a villa, you can't replicate the atmosphere of the rural reunion.
In addition, another notable change for the Spring Festival is the disappearance of the sound of firecrackers. In the past, from the time you woke up in the morning, you could hear the sound of firecrackers one after another, symbolizing the removal of the old year and the beginning of the new year. Today, however, it has become quiet and the streets seem deserted. Although this change is related to environmental protection and safety considerations, it also makes the atmosphere of the Spring Festival a little chilled. The sound of firecrackers not only represents festivity and liveliness, but also a symbol of culture. In this shift, should we look for new ways to create a festive atmosphere and make the Spring Festival more flavorful?
Finally, the Spring Festival seems to be gradually evolving into a "mission". In the past, Chinese New Year was a time of true reunion, where families would come together and share each other's joys and sorrows. Nowadays, however, many people get together just for a meal and then go their separate ways. Even at the beginning.
In the second and third years of junior high school, we began to discuss work, so that the celebration of the Spring Festival became like a task rather than a real reunion. This change not only deprives us of the opportunity to spend quality time with our loved ones, but also makes the Chinese New Year lose its original meaning.
The traditional festival of Spring Festival is undergoing some noticeable changes. These changes not only reflect the progress and change of society, but also expose our neglect and forgetfulness of traditional culture. At this special moment, perhaps we should re-examine the meaning of the Spring Festival, find those lost traditions, and let this festival regain its due glory.