On January 13, the beloved “The Little God of Happiness” from previous years of the Wuhou Shrine Grand Festival in Chengdu donned their splendid attire and formed five teams representing Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness, and Wealth. They visited kindergartens, traffic police stations, nursing homes, fire stations, and countless households, spreading joy and blessings for the New Year. As “the God of Happiness Bring Blessings to Every Home” initiative kicked off, the recruitment for the 2025 Wuhou Shrine Grand Festival’s “The Little God of Happiness” officially began on January 14. This year’s festival marks the Yi Si (Snake) Year, promising an array of traditional festivities and cultural experiences for all participants.

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Touring the God of Happiness’ Path and paying respects at the Wuhou Shrine is a time-honored tradition among Chengdu residents during the Lunar New Year. The Wuhou Shrine, as a key bearer of this folk custom, picks young children each year to embody the God of Happiness during its festive celebrations. After eighteen years, this initiative has blossomed into the most captivating educational event of the Spring Festival at the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine, delighting visitors with its charm and cultural significance.

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As introduced by a spokesperson from the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum, the 2025 “The Little God of Happiness” recruitment campaign promises to be the most extensive yet. Through a combination of online applications and in-person selections, organizers aim to choose 100 young participants to embody the roles of “Lucky Stars” and “Prosperity Ambassadors”. Notably, five of these roles will be filled by “The Little International God of Happiness”, selected from global applicants.

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For the first time, this recruitment initiative is open worldwide, with the goal of promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing the cultural depth of the Wuhou Shrine Grand Festival. Selected international “The Little God of Happiness” will join local participants in receiving specialized training in Chinese traditions. During the Spring Festival, they will engage with visitors at the Wuhou Shrine, delivering festive wishes and blessings.

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Selected “The Little God of Happiness” will receive certificates and volunteer service recognition, and their families will enjoy free admission to the shrine. The recruitment drive, open to children aged 7 to 12 from both China and overseas, continues until January 19, aiming to select 100 young ambassadors. We warmly welcome more children to join us in sharing the happiness and blessings of the Lunar New Year.(by Bai Yibing)