2023-12-22 09:30:29
China News Service, Qinghai Minhe, December 22: The “big family” in the Qinghai Minhe earthquake area feels a different kind of warmth by eating dumplings during the winter solstice.
Author Zhao Linsong Qi Zenbei
On December 22, the tenth day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, the winter solstice arrives as scheduled. As the saying goes, “Winter Solstice is the New Year’s Day.” On this day, northerners will choose to eat dumplings.
At regarding 11 a.m. on the 22nd, at the concentrated resettlement site of Meiyi Primary School in Zhongchuan Township, Haidong Minhe County, Qinghai Province, the affected people were serving meals with love to the officers and soldiers of the Haidong Detachment of the Qinghai Corps of the Armed Police and the Minhe County Vocational and Technical College. The teachers and students made dumplings together and prepared lunch for more than 600 people in the resettlement site.
The picture shows armed police officers and the affected people making dumplings together.Photo by Qi Zengbei
“According to our tradition, we eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice, but there was an earthquake a few days ago and everyone was affected. How can we still think regarding celebrating the Winter Solstice and eating dumplings.” said Caotan Village, Zhongchuan Township, Minhe County. Villager E Xilan told reporters that at around 10 a.m., she heard volunteers at the resettlement site say they wanted to make dumplings, so she followed them. “In the past, the winter solstice festival was celebrated as a small family together, but now it is a ‘big family’ together, and there is a different kind of warmth.”
Zhang Haidong, director of the Support Division of the Haidong Detachment of the Qinghai Armed Police Corps, said that following the earthquake, they rushed to the resettlement site quickly to take charge of logistics support and provide food and medical support to the affected people. So far, a total of more than 2,550 people affected by the disaster have been provided with meals.
The picture shows the dumplings coming out of the pot and people affected by the disaster queuing up to receive them.Photo by Qi Zengbei
“Today is the winter solstice. In spite of the cold weather, we hope to send some warmth to the people affected by the disaster. Dumplings have the meaning of unity, reunion and beauty in our traditional Chinese culture. We hope that everyone can get out of the disaster as soon as possible. Cheer up despite the gloom.” Zhang Haidong said that on that day, the officers and soldiers of the detachment made dumplings for nearly 300 people.
Also in the resettlement site, 16 teachers and students from the caring meal site of Minhe County Vocational and Technical School also prepared ingredients. “Because there are too many people in the resettlement site, it is difficult to make dumplings. We were originally hesitant to do this. After telling the students regarding this idea, more than 100 students from the culinary major signed up one following another. They were very enthusiastic. Yesterday Ingredients are prepared in the evening school.” Li Zhenren, the person in charge of the charity meal, said.
The picture shows the cooking major students of Minhe County Vocational and Technical School preparing ingredients.Photo by Qi Zengbei
Li Zhenren told reporters that the boy who was chopping stuffing at the scene was named Qi Zhenjie. His home was in Caotan Village, Zhongchuan Township. His home was also affected by the disaster. When he heard that he was coming to the resettlement site for support, he took the initiative to ask for help. He has not visited his home since yesterday. After that, he has been helping to cook and ensure the food of the disaster-stricken people.
“I was born and raised here, and I hope to use my expertise in cooking to do something for the uncles and aunts in the settlement. My father and mother came to see us yesterday and said they were proud of me and asked me not to worry regarding my family,” Qi Zhenjie said. He was still working, but the work in his hands did not stop.
The picture shows a little girl eating dumplings in the resettlement site.Photo by Qi Zengbei
At regarding 12 noon, the hot beef dumplings came out of the pot steaming hot, and the affected people lined up to receive this special winter solstice “gift.”
In the tent, 67-year-old Li Minghua took the dumplings brought by her grandson and ate them. “I have lived here for decades and have never had this kind of experience. For three days following the earthquake, I did not dare to close my eyes. Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw the scene of a panicked escape during the earthquake. It was not until last night that I slept peacefully. .” Li Minghua told reporters that no one expected that they might still eat dumplings during the winter solstice this year and felt very warm in their hearts. (over)
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