The 15th day of the first lunar month is China's traditional Lantern Festival. To immerse inpatients from around the world in the unique charm of China’s excellent traditional culture, our hospital carefully organized a Lantern Festival activity themed "Warm Spring, Sweet Lantern Festival, Health, and Fulfillment" on the afternoon of March 3rd. Writing wishes, making tangyuan, eating yuanxiao, guessing lantern riddles, and playing touhu—a series of traditional customs full of Chinese charm—allowed patients to spend a warm and heartwarming Lantern Festival in the hospital.

Inking Hopes: Leaving Blessings on the Check-in Board

The event kicked off with the warm "Writing Blessings" session. The check-in board at the entrance was particularly eye-catching. Patients from different countries picked up pens and wrote their heartfelt wishes in their respective languages: "Health," "Safety," "A Speedy Recovery"... Phrases in different languages and sincere words converged into a force of warmth that transcended borders. Medical staff thoughtfully assisted on the side and took photos for everyone. In front of the camera, patients pointed to the blessings they had written, their faces beaming with smiles—a moment frozen into a beautiful memory.

Making Tangyuan, Savoring Yuanxiao: Sweetness in Fingertips, Warmth in Taste

The "Making and Tasting Tangyuan" session became the most lively corner of the event. In Chinese culture, tangyuan, shaped like a full moon, symbolizes "reunion" and "fulfillment." Hospital staff transformed into "instructors," demonstrating the process while explaining this beautiful meaning. The patients listened intently, rolling up their sleeves to try kneading the dough, filling the tangyuan, and shaping them into round balls. Although their techniques were a bit clumsy, everyone was fully engaged. A patient from Vietnam held the tangyuan she had made and sighed, "I never knew such profound blessings were hidden in this small food."

Soon, steaming hot tangyuan were served. Plump, white tangyuan floated in the bowls, exuding the unique fragrance of glutinous rice. Staff handed out bowls of tangyuan to the patients, and everyone savored this "Chinese sweetness" together. A patient from Indonesia said with emotion, "They're soft and sweet, and eating them warms my heart. Chinese festivals are so heartwarming."

Lantern Riddles Know No Borders: Bilingual Puzzles with Ingenuity

"Guessing Lantern Riddles" is a unique word game of the Lantern Festival, blending the beauty of the Chinese language with folk wisdom. The event carefully prepared two types of lantern riddles: one related to Chinese culture, and the other considerately set in English, allowing more international patients to participate. Some patients pondered the answers alone, some searched on their phones, and others guessed the answers with the help of the staff, winning exquisite prizes. Many international patients and their families marveled at the charm of Chinese culture and the ingenuity and fun of cross-cultural integration. During the riddle-guessing session, laughter and exclamations filled the air.

Ancient Game of Pitch-Pot Brings Etiquette to Life

The pitch-pot area attracted many curious onlookers. This traditional ceremonial game, originating from the pre-Qin period, emphasizes principles of "impartiality and accuracy" and "hitting the mark with restraint"—once a refined entertainment during ancient banquets. Patients held their breath in concentration as they tossed arrows into the pot, experiencing the composure and focus of a "gentleman's contest." Each successful throw drew enthusiastic applause. An elderly grandfather from Vietnam, his hand trembling slightly as he held the arrow, surprisingly made a shot. He exclaimed excitedly, "When you focus, this is simple, simple!" Yet this simple game left an impression of ancient Eastern etiquette in the hearts of patients from foreign lands.

A Full Moon, Peaceful People, Health, and Fulfillment. The event concluded amidst laughter and joy. The "Warm Spring, Sweet Lantern Festival, Health, and Fulfillment" activity used the traditional festival as a medium, allowing international patients to experience Chinese culture and gain warmth and hope through interaction.

In the future, our hospital will continue to use culture as a bridge, serving every patient with care, and letting love and compassion flow through every detail.