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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Culture -> 
Horse racing brings new life to ancient village
    2018-03-06  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

THOUSANDS of spectators cheered as villagers rode bareback along a narrow rocky road through the ancient village of Xiadongzhai in North China’s Shanxi Province on Saturday, reviving a scene dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The race is held annually in the village on the day that follows the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

This year, a record number of spectators lined up the 200-meter-long, 4-meter-wide track, as skilled riders raced without saddles or stirrups during the two-hour-long event.

“It was as exhilarating as the running of the bulls in Spain,” said Wang Xiaohu, a tourist from North China’s Hebei Province.

The village is located at the foot of the Niangziguan Pass, a section of the Great Wall, which was an important military fortress during the Tang Dynasty.

Military couriers rode horses through the village at the time, and it has now evolved into a 1,000-year-old folk custom. Nearly all villagers, including children and seniors, are adept riders, said Yuan Yuxiang, head of the village.

“The event does not just pay homage to our ancestors by reviving a tradition; it also brings in tourists and helps the local economy,” Yuan said.

The ancient dirt road track has become so worn that villagers spread new soil on it to prevent horses from slipping during the event.

Over 10,000 spectators came to experience the thrills of the horse racing this year.

“Villagers should hold on to the adventurous spirit of horse racing,” said Tong Huping, 44, who has been returning to his hometown to take part in the race every year since it was revived in 2013.

The horse racing custom was listed as a province-level intangible cultural heritage item that year.

(Xinhua)

 

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