 Charity Parade of Zhongshan City is launched by Zhongshan Red Cross,
aiming at raising funds for humanitarian aids, including offering assistances for the wounded and the dying,
helping and supporting the poor, providing a better life for senior citizens and the disability. Every year,
it has attracted over ten thousand participants from all walks of life to raise money for humanitarian aids
and promoting the social welfare undertakings.
With the theme of fraternity advocated by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Charity Parade began with the program called
"Parade for respecting the senior" in 1988, aiming at raising money for those in need. Then it was renamed as
Charity Parade in 1989. It used to be held on the 7th Day of the 1st Month of Chinese Lunar New Year, which is
also known as "the birthday of human",a local festival in Guangdong Province to celebrate creation of life.
And later since 1999, the activities have been held at Chinese Lantern Festival, 15th Day of the 1st Month of
Chinese Lunar New Year. One month prior to the Charity Parade each year, various activities, including charity
performances and charity sales, are carried out to raise money for the Red Cross. On that day, more than
100,000 persons gather together and give cultural and artistic performances with local features. Then they
parade along a certain route and give performances of dragon dance, lion dance, Yangko performances (Harvest
Dance) and martial arts along the road. Tens and thousands of viewers gather, forming spectacular scenery for
the city. Since 1999, the Charity Parade has extended to districts and towns, where people hold various
artistic performances of their own. All kinds of activities have one common aspiration, that is, to raise
funds for social welfare and disaster relief. |
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