This construction site invites community residents to experience the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, hang calamus, make Zongzi, and make sachets to make Zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival
On June 14, 2023, the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, and volunteers in the residential area of Weinan Road, Yangpu will make Zongzi together with young employees and fellow workers of the energy-saving project of the Shanghai Branch of China Construction Eighth Engineering Bureau.
"Unexpectedly, the first time to make Zongzi was on the construction site." Li Wenchao, a Yunnan native born in 1998, successfully made the first Zongzi under the guidance of Aunt Deng. "The construction sites in Shanghai are different from what I remember. I didn't expect there to be so many colorful activities besides' moving bricks', it really feels like home."
Aunt Deng, a 70 year old volunteer, is an old acquaintance of her colleagues. Many young people on the construction site can be named by her name, and she always signs up for any joint construction activities. "My children are usually far away, so when I have free time, I come here for a walk. Anyway, it's right at my doorstep."
"To carry out construction at someone else's doorstep, it is necessary to obtain the recognition of the residents in order for the construction work to proceed smoothly." Yang Gang, the project leader, said that during the construction of the project, there are inevitably problems such as dust and noise. It is important to actively communicate with the residents and obtain their understanding.
"Who doesn't want their doorstep to be more beautiful? More than 60% of the elderly in residential areas are over 60 years old, and they are happy to participate in activities with young people." Wang Tong, the secretary of the Weinan Road residential area, introduced that since the construction site started, there has been a joint construction activity with the residential area every one or two months. "In fact, it's not just about organizing activities. Sitting together and chatting, many things can be solved face-to-face. In our residential area, construction is ultimately a family."
"Making handicrafts with young people, the Dragon Boat Festival is not lonely anymore." 68 year old Feng Huifen taught builders how to make sachets hand in hand. Spices such as Atractylodes macrocephala, Angelica dahurica, Acorus calamus, and Artemisia argyi were packed into colorful cloth bags, symbolizing health and safety.
Let's have a taste of the Zongzi just out of the pot.
The builders hung mugwort in the worker village, praying for good luck in all things.