BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES | BACOLOD CITY

2018 BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES | BACOLOD CITY

Experience Bacolaodiat Festival In Bacolod City. The festivity is in the observance of the Chinese New Year – Bacolod Style.

 

In many parts of the world, the Chinese New Year is a grand celebration characterized by an amazing display of fireworks, dragon and lion dances as well as religious rights and family feasts.

In Bacolod City, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with so much influence of Filipino culture. The Bacolaodiat Festival was coined from “Bacolod” and Fokien word “Lao Diat” which means celebration.

The celebration is characterized by colorful giant lanterns, Chinese Food Alley, Street and Arena Dance Competitions and cultural events.

BRIEF CHINESE NEW YEAR HISTORY

The Chinese New Year Festival has been celebrated amongst the Chinese for a long time. However, no clear literature has been written to ascertain its real root.

It is stated that even in the time of the Legendary sage-emperors of China Yao and Shun, a small celebration of the Spring Festival was already mentioned.

According to history, various Chinese Dynasties commemorate Spring Festival in various ways.

The Spring Festival was thought to have been originated in the Shang Dynasty. The inclusion of Agriculture in New Year Celebration was said to have originated during the Western Zhou Dynasty.

The formation of the rituals became popular during the Han Dynasty, The celebration includes ceremonial gathering and the use of ‘fireworks’  started to appear in the form of burning bamboo. This practice was said to be the early start of fireworks using bamboo. It is said that the whole bamboo with its cavity is exposed to fire and because of thermal expansion, the bamboo bursts and makes a loud bang.

It was during the Tang Dynasty that Lantern Festival became very popular with the display of riddles on the lanterns.

The use of gunpowder on hollowed bamboo poles as firecrackers was said to have started during the Song Dynasty.

Reference: www.nationsonline.org

BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL PHOTOS