A Lantern Festival event is held in Wenhua Xilu community in Baotuquan sub-district, Lixia district, Jinan. [Photo provided to en.lixia.gov.cn]

A Lantern Festival event was held in Wenhua Xilu community in Baotuquan sub-district, Lixia district, Jinan on Feb 23, offering a festive experience for international students and residents of the community.

Participants learned how to make tangyuan, or glutinous rice balls, including the processes of pinching, filling, and shaping, while children made their own colorful persimmon-shaped tangyuan, which are believed to grant good fortune.

The international students also played games in English with the young residents during the event.

The event was intended to help get residents into the holiday spirit and encourage international residents to get involved in the community.

An international student showcases his handmade tangyuan during the Lantern Festival event. [Photo provided to en.lixia.gov.cn]

A child showcases her colorful persimmon-shaped tangyuan during the Lantern Festival event. [Photo provided to en.lixia.gov.cn]