The annual Guanyao Raw Lettuce Festival recently kicked off in Foshan, southern China, with a vibrant display of folk culture. Nineteen dragon and lion dance teams delivered electrifying performances, setting the stage for the grand celebration. A lively parade followed, featuring 200 participants from lion dance troupes, martial arts groups, and artistic formations, turning Guanyao’s streets into a dazzling spectacle.

Guanyao, part of Shishan Town in Nanhai District, Foshan, has long been a hub of commerce and talent. Its centuries-old Raw Lettuce Festival derives its name from the Cantonese homophone “Sang Choy,” symbolizing prosperity and growth. This year, for the first time, the festival is being held alongside the Talent Festival, imbuing it with the new meaning of “cultivating talent.”

The Nanhai Talent Base was inaugurated during the event, serving as a permanent venue for future sci-tech innovation salons, technical exchanges, and industry matchmaking meetings. Throughout the Talent Festival, themed symposiums and matchmaking sessions will be held here, fostering the exchange of industrial insights and the sharing of scientific and technological achievements. This initiative aims to transform the ancient commercial town into a modern hub for talent and innovation.