On National Day, the century-old qilou (arcade buildings) in Shantou Small Park were brightly illuminated and bustling with crowds, with shifting light and shadow dancing across the rows of historic buildings. Despite a recent heavy downpour, the area remained packed with people. Locals and tourists alike gathered three deep around a special showcase of intangible cultural heritage, themed "Overseas Chinese Culture and Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Living Picture of Qilou."

During the performance, lively and powerful lion dances and festive Qilin dances took turns on stage, with the auspicious creatures leaping and dancing to fill the scene with festive cheer. In a distinctly traditional Chaoshan style, the performances conveyed heartfelt wishes for the nation on its National Day. The highlight was undoubtedly Yingge dance, a national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) item of China. Dancers moved through the puddles, their forceful, rhythmic steps sending up fine sprays of water. Their bold and exuberant performance, set against the backdrop of the century-old arcades, was truly awe-inspiring, vividly showcasing the passionate, resilient, united, and enterprising spirit of the Chaoshan people.

Amid applause, authentic Chaoshan folk shows and festive Chinese-style performances followed one another. The seamless blend of traditional ICH and the century-old arcades immersed the historic port city in a vibrant and richly distinctive National Day atmosphere. That evening, a spectacular showcase of Shantou's ICH came alive beneath the night sky over the old city, creating an electric atmosphere.

Bringing ICH out of exhibition halls and into everyday community life is a vivid example of Shantou's efforts to revitalize and pass on its traditional culture. Throughout the National Day holiday, a variety of folk events have brought together millennia-old Chaoshan culture, overseas Chinese hometown culture, and the festive atmosphere of National Day celebrations. These activities have given locals and visitors the opportunity to engage with intangible cultural heritage up close, allowing them to immerse themselves in the distinctive charm and cultural appeal of Chaoshan's traditional culture.

百年骑楼下，英歌踏雨而来

国庆之夜，百年小公园骑楼灯火璀璨、人流如织，层层叠叠的复古骑楼光影摇曳。尽管刚刚下过一场大雨，但是小公园的人气依然高涨，市民游客们将一场“侨韵非遗·骑楼画境”非遗特色展演围了里三层外三层。

表演现场，灵动威武的醒狮、祥瑞热闹的麒麟舞轮番亮相，瑞兽腾跃、喜气满满，用最传统、最潮汕的方式为中华人民共和国华诞送上美好祝福。最吸引人眼球的无疑是国家级非遗英歌舞——舞者踏积水而行，铿锵有力的步伐溅起细碎水花，豪迈奔放的气势在百年骑楼的映衬下格外震撼，把热血、刚毅、团结向上的潮汕精气神展现得淋漓尽致。

在掌声中，地道潮韵民俗、喜庆国风演艺轮番登场，传统非遗与百年骑楼完美交融，让整座开埠老城沉浸在热烈浓厚、独具韵味的国庆氛围之中。当晚，一场属于汕头人的非遗盛宴，在老城夜空华丽绽放，现场氛围感直接拉满！

让非遗走出展馆、走进市井烟火，是汕头活化传承传统文化的生动实践。这个国庆假期，多场民俗活动将千年潮汕文化、侨乡文化与国庆节庆氛围深度融合，让市民游客近距离触摸非遗、感受非遗，沉浸式领略潮汕传统文化的独特韵味与人文魅力。

文、图｜记者 蚁璐雅 通讯员 许汝珏
译｜黄健新
英文审校｜曾敏