Chinese find different ways to celebrate 60th National Day
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In a popular on-line video, the "Happy Birthday" tune is played slowly on truck horns in different parts of China, each truckie blowing a note in a moving tribute to their country.
"It's fun. I like the idea of turning noise into such an emotional melody in harmony with the magnificent scenery and landmarks of China," said an Internet posting by "Langji Tianya".
Twenty-four drivers took part in the 70-second video, including Zhang Weiping, who said they never expected it to garner so much attention.
"We just wanted to show our affection to our motherland and deliver the message that solidarity is power," Zhang said.
Other celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China may not be as creative, but they carry the same deep affection.
In Wangcheng County, central China's Hunan Province, the hometown of legendary PLA soldier and national role model Lei Feng, folk artisans and ordinary people together made a myriad of artworks for the special day.
Artists of Wangcheng, many of whom enjoy great fame, have donated and contributed works for the exhibitions series titled "Offers from Lei Feng's Townsmen to the Country," said Yang Dongfang, of the county publicity department.
"We are descendants of dragons, so nothing is better than dragons to highlight our country's birthday," said Qin Shijiao, vice chairman of Chinese Arts Papercutting Association. He made six groups of 10 dragons in different poses, all of which are more than 10 meters long.
Shang You is a farmer and also famed calligrapher. He wrote the Chinese character "long-life" in 60 different fonts and styles.
Students of the county also made a contribution -- 60 fine art works and handcrafts. Ninth-grader Cai Siyuan created a picture called "Harvest" with grains.
"I wish for endless good harvests for my hometown and motherland," Cai said.
Xiang Shouzhi, former commander of the Nanjing Military Area Command, lit the "eternal fire," a round bronze lamp 29 centimeters high with a diameter of 1.8 meters, which symbolizes the undying spirit of martyrs.
The lighting ceremony was held in Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery, where more than 100,000 martyrs are buried in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.
"By igniting the 'eternal fire' right before the 60th National Day, we wish to remind people of the history, the sacrifices of the martyrs to liberate the country, and to encourage them to strive for greater prosperity of our motherland," said Xiang.
Residents of Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen city jointly held a dragon parade with frontier defense officers.
"Long live the People's Republic of China," the paraders hallooed while holding a banner stating "Shenzheng and Hong Kong Celebrate the 60th Birthday of the People's Republic of China" with numerous signatures on it.
In Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, people marveled at sculptures portraying workers from all walks of life at the exhibition "People are the heroes who create history".
The sculptures are modeled after 32 volunteers from various lines of work doing their jobs.
The gentle good-looking nurse with a transfusion bottle in her hand was Yao Nunu. Looking at her own sculpture, she said, "I'm very excited. This is a great way to showcase the efforts and spirit of nurses."
Back in Beijing, red national flags dot the city's streets, schools, factories and homes.
On his way home, Liu Tao couldn't help stopping by a shop to buy a national flag. "When I saw the street brimming with the red flags, the excitement was beyond description. I can't wait for the day to come."
Then Liu rode home briskly with the flag flying on his bike.
(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2009)
