Wangmantian fish lanterns light up Cannes

A centuries-old fish lantern tradition from Shexian county, Huangshan, has just made its debut at Cannes, bringing Huizhou intangible cultural heritage to another global stage during the 79th Cannes International Film Festival.

Wangmantian fish lanterns light up the Cannes Film Festival. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]

The Wangmantian fish lantern, one of the best-preserved folk customs in the Huizhou region, was listed as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item in Anhui in 2022. For its Cannes appearance, purple lanterns were chosen to convey the traditional idea of auspicious energy arriving from the East.

Dozens of lanterns in different sizes, including 3-meter, 2-meter, 1-meter and 0.75-meter versions, were arranged across festival venues. Their flowing shapes and bright colors added a distinctive Chinese cultural touch to the French Riviera, drawing attention from filmmakers and visitors.

The overseas debut also brought practical benefits to local villagers, turning heritage skills into visible income while expanding the international reach of this 600-year-old folk tradition.

For Shexian, the journey of the Wangmantian fish lanterns from Huizhou's ancient villages to Cannes marks more than just a cultural showcase. It offers a fresh example of how living heritage can support rural industries, deepen cross-cultural exchange, and share the stories of China's traditional culture with the world.