Around 5:00 that afternoon, foreign friends arrived one after another. After making the self-introductions, Mel and Tony from the Philippines became the leaders of the activities. "Now we'll start sending out materials. Let's have a lantern making competition and play in groups." They volunteered to hand out materials with Oksana Tsurunova and Alice from Russia and shouted for team competition to see who would finish the lantern making first.

当天下午5时，外国友人就陆续到场。在一轮自我介绍后，性格开朗、来自菲律宾的Mel和Tony成为活动的主导者。“我们一起做花灯吧，开始发材料了，大家分组来比赛。”他们与来自俄罗斯的Oksana Tsurunova 和Alice主动分发素材，并吆喝着要组队比赛，看谁先完成灯笼的制作。

Lantern making is obviously not an easy task. Especially, it was the first time for most of the foreign friends present. Wrapping red ropes, installing candles, splicing lamp bodies, none of them was easy, but the foreigners were patient and kept going step by step. "One more step done. Give me five!" After each step of assembling, they would celebrate each other.

要想做好花灯并不容易，在场的不少外国友人都是第一次做花灯。缠红绳、安装烛芯，拼接灯身……每一步都不容易，但外国友人耐着性子，一步一步往下拼。“又做好一步咯，击个掌！”每做完一步拼接，他们都会相互庆祝一番。

As a building engineer, Alice skillfully completed the construction of the lantern framework, and took the initiative as a teacher to show others the process. "First you may have this part assembled, then put them together."

作为一名建筑工程师，Alice轻巧地完成了灯笼外支架的搭建，就主动当起了老师，向其他人展示制作流程：“先拼这个，然后再组装上去。”

However, they felt quite confused when it came to the key step of assembling on the lantern the four Chinese characters "吉祥如意", which means auspicious and pleasant. The hilarious mistakes such as putting the characters in the wrong order or upside down made the staff members present burst into laughter.

到了关键的一步，要在花灯上拼好“吉祥如意”四个中文字样，这可难倒了不少人。排序弄错，把字拼反……看得在场的工作人员都笑起来了。

Alice and Oksana were the first to complete the lantern. Holding high their lantern, they took a photo as a memento. When Billy Baptist and Chris finished the lantern, they immediately picked up their mobile phones and recorded a video joyfully, sharing it with their families and friends far away in the United States.

Alice和Oksana 第一个完成制作，他们高举灯笼合影留念。而Billy Baptist和Chris做完花灯后，立马拿起手机开心地录下视频，将其分享给远在美国的家人和朋友。

With their DIY lanterns in hand, the foreign friends examined their own products with great relish, as if they had a treasure that they would not let go of.

完成了花灯的外国朋友，纷纷提着自己的花灯细细观赏，仿佛得了一个应景的宝贝，爱不释手。

With the end of the lantern making, the foreign friends became familiar with each other, and began to talk and laugh in full swing. However, staring at the yuanxiao fillings and flour used to wrap the sweet dumplings, the foreign friends had no idea how to deal with them. 

随着花灯制作的结束，在场的外国友人都已相互熟识，开始热火朝天地谈笑，场面热闹非凡。但是，面对晋江元宵汤圆内馅和用于裹外皮的面粉，大家不禁犯怵，不知该从何下手。

Noura, who came from Tunisia, tried to grab a little flour and sprinkle it on the stuffing, guessing that heating in the oven could help to make yuanxiao. At the same time, Noura and Rim exchanged their own ideas in Arabic for a while. Finally, after several trials, they succeeded in finding out the solution – dipping the fillings in water quickly and then rolling them a few circles in the flour would make the sweet dumplings round and big.

这时，来自突尼斯的Noura尝试抓一点粉撒在内馅上，觉得用烤箱加热的方式可以完成汤圆的制作。她与Rim还用阿拉伯语探讨研究了好一会儿。最后经过反复实验，她们成功找出窍门——将汤圆内馅沾上水在面粉里滚上几圈，反复做多次，就可以让汤圆又圆又大。

Under their guidance, Pooyasaf and Monty from India helped to make a large pot of yuanxiao. Pooyasaf, whose face was a little bit floured, proudly said, "It is hard to imagine I could have talent for making yuanxiao!"

在她们的带领下，来自印度的Pooyasaf和Monty一起帮忙，最终做了一大盆元宵圆。脸上沾满面粉的Pooyasaf还拿出了老师傅的姿态，得意地说：“看不出来，我还有这方面的天赋！”

The boiled sweet dumplings were in a variety of shapes, but everyone enjoyed eating the hand-made dumplings. Monty could not help trying a second bite. Sam from Canada participated in the event with his wife. He told the reporter, "Eating the sweet dumplings not only makes us full but also brings a sense of happiness."

汤圆煮出来后，奇形怪状，歪歪扭扭，但每个人都开心地舀上一勺，小心翼翼地咬上第一口。Monty兴奋地叫唤着好吃，赶紧吃第二口。来自加拿大的Sam与妻子一起参加活动，他告诉记者，“这汤圆甜而饱腹，让人吃了有幸福感。”

While eating yuanxiao, foreign friends seized the chance to practice the greeting in Chinese "Yuan Xiao Kuai Le" (Happy Lantern Festival). Again, the restaurant was filled with laughter and diverse versions of pronunciation. Finally, Billy got the title of "Best Chinese Pronunciation" with his most standard Mandarin.

一边吃汤圆，外国友人还练习起了“元宵节快乐”这句中文。“元宵一快乐”“远扫也快乐”“员西瞎了”……各式各样的发音，一时间在餐厅里此起彼伏。最后，Billy以最接近答案的发音，获得了“最佳中文发音”认证。

After eating yuanxiao, they would go to Wudianshi historical community to enjoy the lanterns. The staff reminded that on the night of Lantern Festival, Wudianshi would be overcrowded and more regard should be paid to safety. "It’s a must-see! We are mainly going to see the crowd. The festive atmosphere is better." Billy said excitedly.

吃过汤圆，就要去五店市传统街区看花灯。在出发前，工作人员提醒，元宵节当晚，五店市人满为患，需要注意安全。 “一定要去，我们主要就是去看人的。这样过节的气氛更好。” Billy兴奋地说。

That night, the nine foreign friends were divided into two groups, and they took their own lanterns to go to Wudianshi, which drew a large crowd. Locals and tourists there enthusiastically took photos with them. Mr. Huang, who came from Chongqing, told the reporter, "It’s great to see foreign friends on traditional Chinese festivals. It shows the clout of our Chinese culture."

当晚，9个外国友人分成两队，提着自己做好的花灯前往五店市，一度引起围观。现场的晋江朋友热情地与他们交流合影。来自重庆的黄先生告诉记者：“很高兴可以在中国传统节日里看到外国友人的身影，这证明了咱们中国文化的影响力。”

Emiliano and Dario from Italy had not been able to make their own lanterns due to work arrangements. When meeting their friends in Wudianshi, they said, "I just saw the video of the activities shared by other friends. I cannot wait to join them and spend the Lantern Festival with them."

因为工作原因没能参加制作花灯的意大利人Emiliano和Dario在五店市与大家汇合。“刚刚看到其他朋友分享的活动视频，心里已装不下工作，迫切希望能马上赶来，与大家一起过元宵。”他们说。

In the lantern exhibition area, they exclaimed at all kinds of marvelous lanterns and took many photos. They wandered around and occasionally asked the passers-by about the meaning of different lanterns. They nodded when they got the idea.

在灯展区，各式各样的花灯，令外国友人们惊呼不已，一路走走停停，不停地与花灯合影。除了合影外，他们还向路人询问不同花灯的含义，每每听明白了都连连点头。

Wandering all the way until 10 o'clock at night, with the lanterns gradually went out, all the foreign friends had to say goodbye. Before leaving, Monty did not forget to ask the reporter, “Will activities like this be available every day?" His friends also echoed, hoping that more events would be held.

一路逛直到晚上10时，花灯渐渐都灭灯了，外国友人才依依不舍地道别。临走前Monty还不忘问记者：“像这样的活动可以每天都有吗？”其他几个伙伴也应和，希望多多举办类似的活动，让他们再相聚。

This event received unanimous praise from foreign friends. "In this event, many foreign friends who did not know each other became friends. "This not only gives them holiday greetings, but also makes them learn more about the traditional culture of Jinjiang and spread the 'Jinjiang Story' to more foreigners," concluded one of the organizers of the event.

此次活动受到了外国友人的一致点赞。“通过这个活动，许多原本不相识的外国友人相互成为朋友，这不仅给远离家乡的他们一份节日慰藉，同时也让他们了解更多的晋江传统文化，并将‘晋江故事’传播给更多的外国友人。”活动主办方相关负责人说。

Noura Rose Harmonie: Thank you dear! all the pleasures. I am looking for the upcoming events. I really enjoyed it!

Noura Rose Harmonie: 太感谢你了，亲爱的，让我拥有了开心的时光！我非常期待接下来的新活动！

Oksana Tsurunova: Wonderful! It is only been one week there in Jinjiang, but this event makes me love this city more. Thanks a lot. 

Oksana Tsurunova:太棒了！虽然只来到晋江一个星期的时间，但这个活动让我更爱这个城市！感谢！

Mel: Great to know you guys, I am happy to have this chance to join this party. The best Lantern Festival ever!

Mel: 很高兴能认识你们！很高兴能有这个机会参加这个活动！最好的元宵节！