中国节日（英）

　　“中华之美”丛书围绕中华优秀传统文化这一主题，择取其中15个专题分别加以介绍。这15个专题，包括以思想、智慧、艺术为主的“无形遗产”，以工艺、器物为主的“有形遗产”，以衣食住行乐为主的“民俗生活”，它们精心构架，有机结合，勾勒出中国文化的一个总体面貌，并反映出“中华文化的理念、智慧、气度、神韵”。 中国是一个节日大国。在悠久的历史、广阔的疆域和多样的生态下，中国各民族创造、传承和发展了丰富多彩的节日文化。这些节日，是中国文化集中呈现的舞台和重要的组成部分。神话、传说、信仰、仪式、戏曲、音乐、舞蹈、饮食、工艺等构成中国文化的各种因子都离不开节日。它们承载了中华民族的历史记忆、文化创造、社会机制和生活情趣。从节日里，人们满足着感观之欲，强化着群体的认同，实现着族群的繁衍，寻找着精神的安顿和心灵的慰藉。 China is a major country of festivals. In the long history， vast territory and diversified ecology， various Chinese ethnic groups created， inherited and developed the diversified culture of festivals. These festivals are stages epitomizing Chinese culture and its important components. Various elements of Chinese culture such as myths， legends， religions， rites， traditional Chinese opera， music， dancing， foods and drinks， arts and crafts are inseparable from festivals. They carry the Chinese nation’s historical memories， cultural creations， social mechanisms and joys of life. In festivals， people satisfy their sensual needs， strengthen group recognition， realize multiplication of ethnic groups， and look for mental peace and spiritual solace.

　　王学文，北京师范大学民俗学博士，现为文化部民族民间文艺发展中心副研究员、国家社科基金重大委托项目《中国节日志》编辑部副主任。主要研究方向为节日文化、文化遗产保护理论与实践。出版有专著《规束与共享》，在《民俗曲艺》（台湾）、《民俗研究》、《山东社会科学》等刊物发表论文多篇。 Wang Xuewen， Ph.D. in folklore studies， graduated from Beijing Normal University and is now an associate research fellow at the Center for Ethnic & Folk Literature & Art Development， Ministry of Culture， PRC and a deputy director of the editorial department of Chinese Festival Annals， a major project entrusted by the National Social Science Fund of China. His main research directions are theory and practice of festival culture and cultural heritage protection. He published Restriction and Sharing， a monograph， and several essays in Journal of Chinese Ritual， Theatre and Folklore （Taiwan）， Folklore Studies， Shandong Social Sciences and other periodicals.

Foreword
Festive China
Origins of Festivals
Colorful Chinese Festivals
Festivals and Chinese Culture
Tenacious Memories
Spring Festival: Chinese Recognition
Dragon Boat Festival: Commemorating the Sage of the Past
National Day: Dream of Making China Strong
Holy Sacrifice
Tomb-sweeping Day: Heeding the Dead
Festival of the Dead Spirits: Celebration of People and Ghosts
Eid al-Adha: Dedication of Sacrifices
Mundane Revelry
Shehuo Performances: Great Joy
Water Splashing Festival: Bathing Buddha and Entertainment
Torch Festival: Burning Passion
Rhythm of Production
Double Second Festival: Spring Dragon Raises the Head
Nadam Fair: Happy Gathering on the Prairie
Sea Opening and Closing Festivals: Harmony between Man and Seas
Social Maintenance
Mid-autumn Festival: Reunion under the Full Moon
Drum Worship Festival: In the Name of the Drum
Nadun Festival: Festive Sequence
Praise of Life
Children’s Day: Festive Spirits
Sisters’ Festival: Time for Silver Ornaments
Double Ninth Festival: Respect for the Old
Singing for Love
Double Seventh Festival: the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl
Double Third Festival: Burgeoning Love
Mao Festival: Thriving Life
Epilogue: rediscovering festivals