Children put on firefighter uniforms under the help of firefighters. (Photo/Chen Zide)

A firefighter instructs a child to use fire-fighting lance. (Photo/Chen Zide)

Firefighters and children make dumplings together. (Photo/Chen Zide)

Children showcase their dumplings. (Photo/Chen Zide)

On the morning of December 19, Linli County Fire Rescue Brigade of Changde City invited children to make dumplings together and learned about fire-fighting knowledge ahead of the winter solstice day, or the Dongzhi Festival.

Dongzhi, the 22nd solar term of a year, falls on December 21 this year.

It begins on the day with the shortest daytime and the longest night. It was also the first settled solar term in the Chinese history. The Chinese has an old saying "Dongzhi is as significant as the Spring Festival," since dating back to the days before the Qin Dynasty (1046 B.C. – 207 B.C.), the ancient Chinese celebrated the day as the beginning of a new year.

In Chinese culture, it marks the beginning of deep winter and a break from farming in traditional agricultural society. It is also a time for family gatherings.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: rednet