Spring Festival's Bid for UNESCO Heritage Status：The Battle of 200 Words

Old Jin, known as "Dr. Jin," was a well-known "Spring Festival expert" in the Ministry of Culture. From the Little New Year on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month to the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, he could tell you stories about anything related to the Spring Festival for three days and three nights. This time, the heavy responsibility of applying for UNESCO recognition for the Spring Festival fell on his shoulders.

But to his surprise, news came from UNESCO: to ensure fairness and impartiality, each application could only be introduced in 200 words.

200 words? Old Jin almost fainted. Just the origin of "Nian" (year), he could vividly explain in 500 words. Now, he had to summarize the entire Spring Festival in 200 words, which was harder than climbing to heaven.

The leader found Old Jin with a worried face: "Dr. Jin, I'm entrusting this to you. 200 words, not one more, not one less. It must be concise and to the point, highlight the key points, and... and also be understandable to foreigners."

Old Jin took the task and felt a ton of weight on his shoulders. He returned to his office and stared at the computer in a daze. What could he do with 200 words? Could he finish explaining the process of making a dumpling? Could he explain the meaning of "lucky money"?

He began to cut frantically. First, he cut out those overly complicated historical allusions, then he cut out those local customs, and finally he had to reluctantly give up some important cultural connotations.

A few days later, Old Jin finally completed his "200-word Spring Festival introduction." He looked at the text on the screen and felt like he was looking at an elementary school student's composition.

"Spring Festival, China's most important holiday. Family reunion, delicious food, red envelopes. Celebrate new year, wish good fortune. Dragon dances, lion dances, fireworks. Enjoy traditions, share happiness."

This was not the Spring Festival, it was simply a tourism promotional poster! Old Jin wanted to cry but had no tears.

He handed this "200-word Spring Festival introduction" to the leader. The leader looked at it, frowned and said, "Well, it's quite concise and clear. But, can we add something more? For example, Chinese cultural characteristics, Chinese values..."

Old Jin shook his head helplessly: "Leader, 200 words, we really can't add any more. Unless... unless we remove the word 'China'."

The leader's eyes widened: "Remove 'China'? Then what are we applying for?"

Old Jin shrugged: "Then there's nothing we can do. Either give up applying, or accept these 200 words. Anyway, the cultural connotations of the Spring Festival can't be explained in 200 words."

The leader was silent. He thought for a while and said, "How about we change 'red envelopes' to 'lucky money'? It's easier for foreigners to understand."

Old Jin almost fainted. He knew that he had lost this "200-word war."

A few months later, UNESCO announced that South Korea's "Lunar New Year" had been successfully recognized.

The news came and caused a national uproar. But Old Jin seemed unusually calm. He knew that the real Spring Festival was not on that thin certificate, but in the hearts of every Chinese person.

That day, Old Jin returned home and saw his wife preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. The aroma of dumplings wafted over, and the children were happily playing with firecrackers.

Old Jin suddenly felt that whether or not to apply for recognition didn't seem so important. What was important was that the family could be together and have a good, lively New Year.

He walked to his wife's side, picked up a dumpling, and said with a smile, "Wife, this year's dumplings are so delicious!"

His wife glared at him: "Delicious? It's still the same old thing."

Old Jin laughed: "The same old thing is good, the same old thing has the flavor of the New Year!"

Outside the window, firecrackers crackled and fireworks bloomed. Old Jin knew that no matter how the world changed, the taste of the Spring Festival would never change.