2023-11-02 14:49:58
Halloween in Shanghai: When Lu Xun and Winnie the Pooh met Dabai
01.11.2023
This week, Shanghai ushered in the first Halloween that can be celebrated following several years of lockdown due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Young people took to the streets, not only “playing tricks” but also boldly venting their ridicule and dissatisfaction with the world.
(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) On Halloween night on October 31, images of a cross-dressing carnival from the streets of Shanghai went viral on Chinese social media. People found that not only did the participants here dress up as monsters and monsters that are common in traditional Halloween, but there were also many people who used creative and complaining methods to touch on sensitive and even taboo topics in Chinese society under high pressure.
Among the marchers, the once-ubiquitous but now-disappeared epidemic prevention “Dabai” appeared with a huge cotton swab in his hand, reminding people of the nucleic acid tests that accompanied them during the “clearance” period.
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
“Dabai” returns
During the epidemic, the epidemic prevention officer “Babai” appeared in the Halloween horror parade, which seemed to fit the theme very well. This “Dabai” holds a huge cotton swab, reminding people of the nucleic acid tests that accompanied them during the “clearance” period. For many Shanghainese, these unbearable years have left lasting pain.
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
Unlucky “Party B”
In China’s labor contracts, the party who hires or purchases services, that is, the employer, is generally called “Party A”; and the party who provides labor services is called “Party B.” Party B is often in a weak position compared to Party A. It has to meet various requirements and has difficulty getting corresponding rewards or development opportunities. It is not uncommon for “Party B” to be beaten with a bruised nose and face and a desperate look on the streets of Shanghai on Halloween.
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
Combination of Chinese and Western
Many “Chinese characteristics” can be found in Shanghai’s Halloween parade. In addition to Chinese costume characters such as Zhen Huan and Tang Monk, one of the core images of Western Halloween, “The God of Death”, also has a Chinese version – black and white impermanence. The words on the impermanent hat are also very thought-provoking.
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
feel the atmosphere
At the Halloween celebration in Shanghai, there were more people watching the scenery than cross-dressers. Unlike European and American countries, where Halloween only revolves around horror themes, in Shanghai you can see a wider perspective and more creative images. Someone lamented on social media that “Halloween in Shanghai is much more interesting than in the West.”
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
Involution meets recession
Most of the people participating in street Halloween are young people. It is currently difficult for young people in China to find jobs, and at a time when the slowdown in domestic economic growth is affecting the prospects of the labor market, many people often complain regarding their frustrations on the Internet. These people obviously wanted to use the opportunity of Halloween costumes to vent their inner depression.
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
Welcome to cause trouble
Although, as in previous years, some people still criticize the “foreign festival” as worshiping foreigners, the Shanghai authorities have adopted a more tolerant attitude towards this year’s Halloween celebration. There are not many interventions and restrictions. Netizens posted videos and posts saying that some cross-dressers with sensitive themes and behaviors were driven away by the police, including a “Dabai” and a man who dressed up as the writer Lu Xun and recited his works in the street.
New Halloween trend in Shanghai: intriguing cross-dressing
Party healing?
Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, described the scene in Shanghai as the “Chinese version” of Halloween and called on society to “give young people more space to be free.” Weibo blogger “Dairuomuyi” wrote: “Shanghai’s Halloween cross-dressing looks like a carnival on the surface, but behind too many cross-dressings is a wound in the hearts of ordinary people. Finally, there is a chance to get some on a specific day. Come out and vent and share.”
In one video, a young man dressed as the writer Lu Xun recited his works on the street. The content actually read, “I hope all Chinese young people will get rid of the air conditioning and do not have to listen to the words of those who give up on themselves. Those who can do things will do things, and those who can speak out will speak out.”
Even more daring is a woman walking on the street with white paper plastered all over her body; there are also people dressed as Winnie the Pooh.
The targets of ridicule by cross-dressers also include live broadcast star “Li Jiaqi”, singer “Na Ying”, the protagonist of “Wolf Warrior” played by Wu Jing, etc.
Other images that attract people’s attention include self-deprecating “leeks” who are being harvested and squeezed, “Party B” who has no way to defend his rights, and college graduates who complain regarding the difficulty of finding a job.
As in previous years, some people still criticize the “foreign festival” as worshiping foreign countries. Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, described the scene in Shanghai as the “Chinese version” of Halloween and called on society to “give young people more space to be free.”
Weibo blogger “Dairuomuyi” wrote: “Shanghai’s Halloween cross-dressing looks like a carnival on the surface, but behind too many cross-dressings is a wound in the hearts of ordinary people. Finally, there is a chance to get some on a specific day.” Come out to vent and share”.
(comprehensive report)
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