Another cycle of spring, summer, autumn and winter comes around, and Start of Winter arrives… Water begins to freeze, the ground turns cold, vitality is stored inward, and all things enter a state of preservation. We walk out of autumn and embrace winter.

Start of Winter is the first solar term of winter, falling on November 7th or 8th of the Gregorian calendar each year, marking the beginning of winter. After Start of Winter, all things lie dormant temporarily yet brim with hidden hope. This is a season for rest and nourishment. Only by quietly accumulating energy can new dreams be nurtured amid ice and snow.

As autumn yields to winter, a series of activities including dumpling-making for Start of Winter jointly organized by each Party branch were held at the Moral Lecture Hall, Mingde Hall and Happy Dining Hall, bringing warmth to our family members. Even far away from home, they can feel full of happiness.

There is an old saying: “If you don’t eat dumplings on Start of Winter, your ears will freeze.” When the weather turns cold, ears exposed to the air are vulnerable to frostbite. Eating dumplings shaped like ears is the most tender care from family.

Dumpling-making starts with chopping fillings and seasoning. The air is filled with the aroma of ingredients, the taste of life. Our family members divided the work and pulled together toward the same goal!

Everyone showed great skills. The thin wrappers hold delicious fillings, and also bind the Gudeng big family closely together.

After all the hard work, it was time to boil the dumplings. Every step carries our longing for a better life. Steaming hot dumplings reflect the warmth of our family members. We celebrated this special festival in joy and felt the warmth of winter while tasting the food.

Look! Some family members learned to make dumplings with colored clay. The whole process was filled with laughter and unlimited creativity. With nimble little hands pinching, wrapping and drawing, cute dumplings in varied shapes came out. It not only improved hands-on skills but also brought the joy of dumpling-making, letting everyone gain knowledge and fun at the same time.

Traditional customs are the splendid treasures of the Chinese nation. Concise words carry deep affection. Through the “Start of Winter Mini Lecture”, family members systematically learned about phenology, origin, folk customs and food culture, deepening their understanding of traditional culture.

As Start of Winter comes, remember to send care and warmth to those you cherish. Wish them good health, keep warm and enjoy a cozy winter. Let traditional culture nourish our hearts and let cultural confidence pass down from generation to generation.