The Water-Splashing Festival, also     1     (know) as Buddha Bathing Ceremony, is the New Year’s celebration of the Dai ethnic minority in Yunnan Province. For Dai people, the annual Water-Splashing Festival is the most important holiday, attracting tens of thousands of locals and     2     (tour).

Jinghong, the capital of Dai Autonomous Prefecture, usually     3     (celebrate) it from Aprill3 to 15. On the first two days, a grand celebration marks the beginning of the festival. An outdoor market is set up,     4     locals come for new-year shopping. At night, the banks of the river are     5     (colorful) lit, and locals float river lanterns on the river. The third day     6     (reserve) for water splashing. The Dai people will put     7     their newest and best clothes, and then gather at the local Buddhist temple. It isn’t until people splash the Buddha statue with clear water     8     they can flock to the streets, parks or squares with pots or bottles, to splash each other with water.

For Dai people, water is     9     symbol of holiness, goodness and purity. Therefore, splashing others with water during the Water-Splashing Festival is     10     (wish) that person good luck and happiness.

An exhibition, featuring around 200 cultural artifacts from the era of interaction between the Chinese and French royal courts in the 17th and 18th centuries, kicked off at the Palace Museum in Beijing on Monday,     1     (mark) the opening of the 18th edition of the Festival Croisements,     2     celebrated the 60-year diplomatic bond between the two countries.

    3     (launch) in 2006, the Festival Croisements is dedicated to promoting exchanges and dialogue between Chinese and French art institutions and artists. A     4     (various) of activities in fields such as the visual arts, crafts, theater, music and dance will be held in multiple     5     (city) across China as part of the festival that spans (持续) to the end of the year.

The number 60     6     (indicate) a cycle in Chinese tradition. The unveiling new cycle will generate more collaboration and     7     (far) promote cultural dialogues and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Croisements, meaning crossover in French, symbolizes mutual (相互的) influence and connections between Chinese and French cultures. The name reminds people     8     a gathering where different cultures strengthen each other, which is     9     reflection of our daily life, either of our career or personal life. The festival will provide opportunity     10     (discover) new art forms.

Festivals hold a special place in our hearts and they     1     (celebrate) all around the world. They bring joy, togetherness, and meaning to our lives. But why do we celebrate them?

Firstly, festivals provide an opportunity for people to come together and strengthen social bonds. Whether they are family gatherings during Thanksgiving     2     community festivities during Chinese New Year, festivals unite us in celebration. They promote harmony among communities,     3     (encourage) a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

Secondly, festivals offer a break from the routine of daily life, allowing us to relax. They provide an escape     4     the stresses and worries of work or school. During festivals, we enjoy delicious food, engage in fun activities, and take part in colorful traditions, all of     5     contribute to our overall well-being.

Additionally, festivals serve as a platform for     6     (culture) exchange and understanding. They offer the opportunity     7     (learn) about different customs, traditions and lifestyles. Through participating in or observing festivals from various cultures, we gain a deeper appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism.

Furthermore, festivals often carry symbolic meanings. For example, the rebirth symbolized by festivals like Easter     8     (reflect) our desire for growth and transformation.     9     (similar), the Chinese Qingming Festival symbolizes people’s longing for their deceased loved ones.

In conclusion, festivals play a vital role in our lives. So, let’s continue to cherish and celebrate these special     10     (occasion) with enthusiasm and gratitude.

The Qinglong Temple Fair, serving as an important link connecting Chaozhou communities both domestic and overseas,     1    （be）a significant part of Chaozhou’s traditional culture. Many tourists have an urge     2    （participate）in this event. But if you don’t know the local history, some customs may be beyond your     3    （comprehend）.

The Qinglong Ancient Temple was superior     4     all other local temples in some aspects. It was named after the frequently     5    （see）green snakes wandering near the temple without doing harm to people.

Annually, the Qinglong Temple Fair     6    （hold）from the 13th day to the 28th day of the first lunar month. The festival involves parading the wooden statue,     7     is known as Laoye, through the streets in a celebratory activity. The whole town would eagerly come out to witness the parade,     8    （pray）for favorable weather, family safety and business success.

This year, the parade, with     9     number of participants, started from Qinglong Ancient Temple, passed through various tourist spots and major streets in the city, and then returned to Qinglong Ancient Temple.

This temple fair is a moving museum of intangible cultural heritage. It     10    （genuine）shows Chaoshan people’s attachment to their cultural identity rooted in their hometown and their love for their home country.

The Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节) is a traditional festival for the Dai people in Yunnan Province,     1     marks the official New Year celebration for over one million Dai people living in China.     2     (hold) during the sixth month of the Dai calendar, it usually lasts three or four days.

For the Dai people in Yunnan province, water is a symbol     3     goodness and the most valuable thing. During the festival, both men and women enjoy     4     (them) in the game of water-splashing. They are armed with buckets of water to make each other     5     (complete) wet, wishing all good luck and happiness to happen to them.

During the festival, the door of every house     6     (decorate) with colorful pieces of paper. All the     7     (villager) wear their unique clothes. Mutton and beef are served with delicious rice cakes, rice noodles, and rice wine. The festival is celebrated with     8     variety of activities, including singing and dancing, firework displays and boat racing. Dai People will also invite people to celebrate the festival from other ethnic minorities (少数民族) and tourists     9     (come) from afar (从远处) to celebrate the festival.

The Water Splash Festival is the Dai people’s respect to water, music, dance and food. It is also a     10     (culture) bridge between China and Southeast Asian countries that share the same festive culture of the water-splashing.