Shanghai’s Unique Take on Halloween

For those of you who were in Shanghai on Monday evening, you know what we’re talking about. Even though the activities that were displayed on Julu Road are fully dedicated to celebrating Halloween, it seems that young people in China have taken the Western Halloween tradition and transformed it into their very own "Meme Playing Festival." What does that mean, you ask? Well, it's a delightful blend of humour, satire, and artistic expression that's truly one-of-a-kind and had been pretty much unseen in China before this year’s Halloween celebration.

Shanghai, with its cosmopolitan spirit, played host to this captivating celebration, and the epicentre of the action was none other than Julu Road. As Halloween approached, this iconic street became the go-to venue for a unique blend of cosplay, laughter, and meme culture.

Audacious costumes on display and the carnival atmosphere drew not only large crowds of spectators but also sparked lively discussions on mainland social media. Among the highlights was a clever costume featuring a man impersonating China's "Lipstick King," Li Jiaqi, a major cosmetics influencer with a whopping 76 million online followers. The costume was a witty dig at Li for his controversial comments defending the price of a 79-yuan eyebrow pencil, suggesting people should "work harder" if they couldn't afford it. It was a humorous take on a memorable moment in Chinese pop culture.

But it didn't stop there. Participants also chose to cosplay iconic characters from historical Chinese dramas, such as An Lingrong from "Empresses in the Palace." One of the cosplayers wore an ancient pink costume and was even endorsed by the original actor, Tao Xinran, on Weibo. It's a testament to the creativity and attention to detail that participants put into their outfits.

Now, here's where things got even more interesting. A woman dressed up as a two-meter-tall white inflatable sex toy, aiming to challenge cultural taboos on women and sex. However, she was quickly removed from the proceedings for displaying vulgar content, demonstrating that even in this playful environment, some boundaries remain.

There were other thought-provoking costumes as well. One person displayed a large poster depicting the negatively performing Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index, a sarcastic jab at the current economic situation. Another cosplayed as Lu Xun, a renowned literary critic in Chinese history, holding a sign with some of his famous quotes, promoting the spirit of independence.

The event also provided an opportunity for young people to humorously satirize their working conditions. A young man dressed as "The agent" with messy hair and dark circles under his eyes, carrying a tea drink and a laptop-carrying backpack, symbolizing the always-on, work-anywhere lifestyle, drew both laughter and reflection.

It's worth noting that this unique take on Halloween has received both praise and criticism. Some see it as a form of "cultural appropriation" from the West, while others admire how effectively Western celebrations have been localized, calling it "the Chinese Renaissance." The majority seem to appreciate the blending of traditions, with one person suggesting the establishment of a "Meme Playing Festival" on the last weekend of October as a Chinese celebration for young people.

In the end, this celebration proves that cultural exchange can be a two-way street, and young people in China are finding creative ways to merge their own identity with the world's traditions. It's a testament to the power of humor, satire, and artistic expression in bridging cultures and bringing joy to life. After all, as one observer noted, "Happiness should have no nationality."