This Sunday, China celebrates the traditional Dragon Boat Festival as a public holiday for the first time. Holding dragon boat races, hanging herbs like calamus and artemisia on doors, and eating Zongzi are the most popular customs. However, many critics claim the Dragon Boat Festival has become less important to people nowadays.

Let's take a look at different opinions in today's Media Spin.

Reporter:

China Youth Daily has run an article describing how many citizens just spend Dragon Boat Festival by eating some Zongzi which have been bought from the supermarket. Many people know the day is to commemorate the patriot Quyuan, but have no idea that it is also associated with exorcising evil and preventing diseases.

The writer believes there are two reasons why people care less about this festival than in generations gone by. One is the accelerating pace of urbanization in China. As Dragon Boat Festival originated in an agriculture-based society, the traditional celebrations are closely related to farming work. However, along with urbanization, the environment is no longer suitable for many of the old customs. People can find neither rivers for dragon boat races, nor a place on their iron, burglarproof doors to hang herbs. So eating Zongzi seems to be the only available option. The other reason is that Dragon Boat Festival does not create a cheerful atmosphere in modern society. In ancient times, various games were created for children. But these days, kids usually spend the day with grownups. This vicious circle has taken its toll on the importance of the festival.

A comment in the Oriental Morning Post adds another two reasons. On one hand, Dragon Boat Festival is dated according to the lunar calendar, which has not been the official calendar since 1921. Since people are less inclined to use the lunar calendar, they pay less attention to its festivals. The other possible explanation is that as people's values have changed; they think some traditional customs are mere superstition and have been gradually abandoning them.

Fortunately, Dragon Boat Festival has been established as a public holiday. This helps draw the public's attention to this meaningful and memorable festival.

He Xun.Com carries a comment pointing out the importance of traditional festivals. As a concrete form of culture, these festivals represent our national spirit and values. The customs associated with our festivals are not just performances; they are also a way in which our ancestors show their thoughts about history and life.

So the writer suggests that while people are relaxing and enjoying themselves during the Dragon Boat Festival, they must also carefully consider its cultural meaning.