The Second "Long Mu" Culture Festival will be held in Wuzhou City, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 25-27, according to local officials.

Long Mu, also called the Dragon's Mother, was the Goddess of Rain in ancient China. Chinese living in Guangxi, Guangdong Province, and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions share a tradition marking Long Mu's birthday, asking for her blessing for a good harvest.

During the festival, people from these areas will gather in Wuzhou to attend festive activities, including fireworks shows and evening parties, a traditional ceremony to mark the birthday of the Goddess, symposiums, and trade and investment fairs.

The first such gala was held by the city last year. The local government hopes that the annual festival will boost the city's relations and cooperation with Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in all fields.

Wuzhou, a river port, has developed a trading partnership with over 100 foreign countries and regions.

(People’s Daily 04/29/2001)