This podcast episode discusses the Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie), celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. The hosts and guest explore its significance in Chinese culture, including its origins (multiple legends are presented), traditions (lantern riddles, special foods like Yuan Xiao and Tang Yuan), and its evolution as a celebration of hope and renewal. A conversation with a Malaysian news presenter highlights how the festival is celebrated in a multicultural context, emphasizing its role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering intercultural understanding. The discussion also touches upon the changing ways the festival is observed, with online riddle-guessing games complementing traditional practices.
