2017年CRI Chinese Mackerel Festival Held in Qingdao

 

The picture shows fresh mackerel is selling well in fresh seafood¹ markets. [Photo: dzwww.com]

A Chinese mackerel festival was held in Qingdao, a coastal² city in eastern China's Shandong province.

Several cities worldwide have a festival celebrating local features, but it's rare to name a festival after a fish.

To date, the mackerel festival has a fifteen-year long history, with the added wrinkle of promoting the Chinese tradition of filial piety³. Shen Ting has more.

Mackerel has a special and deep significance for local residents in Qingdao. This all stems from a 100-year old legend.

Lu Han is a local folklore⁴ expert.

"There was an orphan⁵ boy named Little Wu, who was later adopted by a kindhearted old couple. Little Wu grew up to be an honest and benevolent⁶ man, and the old couple allowed him to marry their young daughter. One day his father-in-law was suddenly ill, and wanted to eat fish. However, persistent⁷, strong wind had stopped all fishing boats. Despite this, Little Wu risked his life and went fishing. When Little Wu finally came back home with a big, fresh mackerel, the father-in-law had passed away. In sadness, Little Wu and his wife cooked the fish and sacrificed it at the father's shrine⁸. Later, the young couple paid respects at their father's tomb with fresh mackerel every spring."

This story was told from generation to generation, helping⁹ to boost the virtue¹⁰ of filial piety among local citizens.

Every spring, locals go to the market and purchase fresh mackerel for the senior members of the family.

Gifting mackerel to Chinese parents and parents-in law during springtime has developed into a common expression of filial piety. The local seafood market is usually abuzz with crowds of consumers in April and May.

"Seafood in Qingdao is seasonal¹¹, and it is now the best season to enjoy Chinese mackerel, which is perfect in many different ways".

"I bought it for my father-in-law. It's a local custom. Both my wife and I are locals, and we've been married for four years. Each year, I buy Chinese mackerel for my father-in-law."

"I bought more than twenty kilograms of Chinese mackerel for both my parents and my in-laws. I do it every year."

"The bigger and fresher the Chinese mackerel they are given, the more proud parents-in-law would feel."

In China, fish is a must-eat table delicacy¹² for both treating guests and offering sacrifices. The scale-less mackerel is highly favored by local consumers in Qingdao.

Qingdao folklore expert Lu Han explains again:

"Mackerel is a migratory¹³ fish that swims along ocean currents. It has been said that the meat of the mackerel stocks in the seas of Qingdao is the most delicious. Locals also use mackerel as a sacrifice, which demonstrates that this species of fish holds a special position in the city."

The special status of mackerel in Qingdao is a decisive factor in making mackerel so popular. Harvesting thousands of kilograms of mackerel for commercial purposes each day is a common scene at the local Shazikou National Fishing Port & Fisherman's Wharf¹⁴.

Yu Xiao is a local fisherman.

"We docked at the harbor at 6:30 a.m., after we captured two to three thousand kilos of fish, which were sold out within two hours."

This year, the fish moratorium¹⁵ was set on May 1st, one month ahead of schedule. Local fishermen explain that the mackerel output in May is at its highest and that shifting the fish moratorium to an earlier date will undoubtedly¹⁶ affect this year's mackerel output and therefore could lead to a price hike.

"The fish moratorium is now being enacted¹⁷ during mackerel harvest season, which would affect the price for sure. So far, the mackerel output remains¹⁸ low."

"Sales are better than in previous years and mackerel is sold at a higher price now since the output is less."

Mackerel is widely regarded as one of the ten most nutritious¹⁹ marine²⁰ fish species. Locals are very creative with the way they eat mackerel in Qingdao, including making mackerel dumplings, mackerel cake, smoked mackerel and braised mackerel. Their favorite dishes often involve smoked mackerel recipes which are easy to prepare at home.

The Mackerel Festival was launched in 2003, and now enters the fifteenth year. Part of the intangible cultural heritage of Qingdao, the festival is well received by both local residents and tourists.

Tourists arrive in Shazikou's scenic²¹ areas in order to taste mackerel, feast their eyes on the picturesque²² local landscape and also develop their understanding of local cultural customs.

Qu Zhiwu is head of the Laoshan Aquatic²³ Production Chamber²⁴.

"A main goal of the local mackerel festival is to carry forward the Chinese virtue of filial piety in our society. After 15 years of effort, Shazikou has successfully raised awareness²⁵ about this important value in its communities. A processing chain has been well developed, starting from the acquisition of fisheries, aquatic products' processing and finally marketing²⁶. Though the fishing period was cut short, the mackerel output still sees an annual growth of eight percent."

Today, local residents are celebrating the Mackerel Festival, with a dance named "Gentle Breeze and Timely Rain"; showing the fishermen's yearning²⁷ for the good harvest.

A tourist surnamed Hu felt quite stirred as she watched the show.

"This is my first time attending the Mackerel Festival. I enjoy watching so many interesting programs like the friendly competitions between sons-in law trying to catch the biggest mackerels for their in-laws. This game will help awaken²⁸ the old customs carrying the filial culture."

According to Lu Han, Chinese society hopes to carry forward the traditional cultural values. This mackerel festival holds significance in boosting the folk customs of the fishing communities in coastal areas and also helps them to remember the best part of their history and culture.

1 seafood   

n.海产食品，海味，海鲜

参考例句：

• There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
• Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。

2 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

3 piety   

n.虔诚，虔敬

参考例句：

• They were drawn to the church not by piety but by curiosity.他们去教堂不是出于虔诚而是出于好奇。
• Experience makes us see an enormous difference between piety and goodness.经验使我们看到虔诚与善意之间有着巨大的区别。

4 folklore   

n.民间信仰，民间传说，民俗

参考例句：

• Zhuge Liang is a synonym for wisdom in folklore.诸葛亮在民间传说中成了智慧的代名词。
• In Chinese folklore the bat is an emblem of good fortune.在中国的民间传说中蝙蝠是好运的象征。

5 orphan   

n.孤儿；adj.无父母的

参考例句：

• He brought up the orphan and passed onto him his knowledge of medicine.他把一个孤儿养大，并且把自己的医术传给了他。
• The orphan had been reared in a convent by some good sisters.这个孤儿在一所修道院里被几个好心的修女带大。

6 benevolent   

adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的

参考例句：

• His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him.他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。
• He was a benevolent old man and he wouldn't hurt a fly.他是一个仁慈的老人，连只苍蝇都不愿伤害。

7 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

8 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。

9 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

10 virtue   

n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力

参考例句：

• He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
• You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。

11 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

12 delicacy   

n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴

参考例句：

• We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
• He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。

13 migratory   

n.候鸟，迁移

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• This does not negate the idea of migratory aptitude.这并没有否定迁移能力这一概念。

14 wharf   

n.码头，停泊处

参考例句：

• We fetch up at the wharf exactly on time.我们准时到达码头。
• We reached the wharf gasping for breath.我们气喘吁吁地抵达了码头。

15 moratorium   

n.(行动、活动的)暂停(期)，延期偿付

参考例句：

• The government has called for a moratorium on weapons testing.政府已要求暂停武器试验。
• We recommended a moratorium on two particular kinds of experiments.我们建议暂禁两种特殊的实验。

16 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

17 enacted   

制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• legislation enacted by parliament 由议会通过的法律
• Outside in the little lobby another scene was begin enacted. 外面的小休息室里又是另一番景象。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

18 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

19 nutritious   

adj.有营养的，营养价值高的

参考例句：

• Fresh vegetables are very nutritious.新鲜蔬菜富于营养。
• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。

20 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

21 scenic   

adj.自然景色的，景色优美的

参考例句：

• The scenic beauty of the place entranced the visitors.这里的美丽风光把游客们迷住了。
• The scenic spot is on northwestern outskirts of Beijing.这个风景区位于北京的西北远郊。

22 picturesque   

adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的

参考例句：

• You can see the picturesque shores beside the river.在河边你可以看到景色如画的两岸。
• That was a picturesque phrase.那是一个形象化的说法。

23 aquatic   

adj.水生的，水栖的

参考例句：

• Aquatic sports include swimming and rowing.水上运动包括游泳和划船。
• We visited an aquatic city in Italy.我们在意大利访问过一个水上城市。

24 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

25 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

26 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

27 yearning   

a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的

参考例句：

• a yearning for a quiet life 对宁静生活的向往
• He felt a great yearning after his old job. 他对过去的工作有一种强烈的渴想。

28 awaken   

vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起

参考例句：

• Old people awaken early in the morning.老年人早晨醒得早。
• Please awaken me at six.请于六点叫醒我。