Whether tiny and used for delicate needle work     1     large and employed to make clothing, as well as for other purposes , traditional Chinese scissors are distinctive.

Scissors were once handmade by a Chinese man who also made metal     2    (knife) in his shop. Today’s scissors, often made of steel rather than iron, are produced in larger workshops     3    (employ) a combination of traditional and modern methods. These workshops produce a range of all-purpose scissors capable     4     cutting anything from sheet metal to fine silk.

No scissor producer in China is more famous than the Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Factory,     5    (found) in 1663 in Hangzhou,     6     currently produces about 45 million pairs of 120 different styles each year.     7    (original), production required 72 steps, but this has been reduced to 24. One unique feature of the Zhang Xiaoquan brand is that beautiful landscapes and images of birds, flowers, and animals are still hand-carved along the surface of each pair. The     8    (company) scissors won various international honors, besides having been designated(指定) as “Imperial Palace Scissors” by the Qing emperor’s court. Up to now, identified as deserving protection along with     9    (diversity) centuries-old craft products, Zhang Xiaoquan     10    (recognize) as a laozihao or “heritage brand”.

5 . Here are several not-to-be-missed events. Mark your calendar!

Flowers on the Mimosa Route

The Mimosa Route covers 130 km of wilderness and coastal towns in France, with stops and festivals in bloom to honour a flower that has become the symbol of the Cote d’Azur. This is the perfect opportunity to discover gardens with their feet in the water or the flower floats (花车) of the corsos.

* From 3 to 18 February

Nice Carnival

Mimosa, roses, lilies thrown to the public... The Battle of the Flowers is a highlight of the Nice Carnival and a nod to this France city’s gardening history. The biggest festival on the Cote d’Azur also includes a carnival-style parade, with floats competing in creativity, with dizzying figures up to twenty metres high. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Pop Culture”.

* From 17 February to 3 March

The Menton Lemon Festival

The programme of the Lemon Festival in Menton, France includes various floats. For 15days, the town celebrates its golden fruit with a touch of madness. With the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival promises to be a great event with the theme “From Olympia to Menton”.

* From 17 February to 3 March

The Trail des Merveilles

The Roya Valley in France is the setting for the Trail des Merveilles, which starts in Breil-sur-Roya. Over a distance of around 30 kilometres, with a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres, the race takes competitors along wild paths with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. A shorter, more accessible 17-kilometre route will delight lovers of running and beautiful scenery. Ready, set, go!

*5 March

Chinese opera, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. There are various types of Chinese opera, each with its own unique characteristics and traditions. Kunqu Opera, for example,     1     (consider) an old form of Chinese opera, characterized by its elegant lyrics and beautiful melodies. Peking Opera, another famous type, is noted     2     its colorful costumes, facial makeup and movements.

One of the     3     (remarkable) features of Chinese opera is its integration (融合) of singing, dancing, acting, and acrobatics. The singing in Chinese opera is an impressive aspect. In addition to singing,     4     fascinates people most is actors’ dance and acrobatics. These     5     (performance) require years of training and dedication, making Chinese opera actors true masters of their craft.

The stories     6     (tell) through Chinese opera are often drawn from historical events, legends and folklore. These narratives not only entertain but also educate,     7     (pass) down cultural values and moral lessons from generation to generation. The themes of loyalty, bravery and filial piety (孝) are repeated, which promotes social harmony and moral behavior.

In     8    (conclude), Chinese opera is a treasured art form     9     (deep) rooted in Chinese culture. Whether you’re a fan of theater     10     simply interested in Chinese culture, Chinese opera is definitely worth exploring.

7 . No matter where you go around the globe, everybody loves to celebrate. And when it comes to celebration, festivals offer something for everyone.

Mardi Gras （New Orleans, Louisiana）

Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a cultural event. Though the celebration

La Tomatina （Valencia, Spain）

Launched way back in 1945, La Tomatina is one of the oldest festivals on our list. It's also easily the happiest but the messiest, coming off like the world's biggest food fight.

Legend has it that the whole thing started when some local boys joined a parade alongside musicians. The boys made the performers so angry that they tried hit the boys, and a vendor's (小摊贩)vegetable stand fell victim to the incident.

If you go, please follow some simple rules: Don't throw hard objects, squash the tomato before throwing it, stay a safe distance away from tomato trucks, and stop in time.

Montreux Jazz Festival （Switzerland）

Founded back in 1967, Montreux is one of the oldest music festivals in the world. It's also the second largest jazz festival, after the Montreal International Jazz Festival. That Canadian concert may attract more visitors-around 2 million annually. But Montreux benefits from its pretty location on the attractive shores of Lake Geneva. The area is particularly beautiful in late June/early July, when the festival is held.