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Ai Jiaying (left) and Li Zhoujie carve a watermelon lantern together. [Photo by Wang Yuhu/chinanews.com]

To mark the Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term of the year, Ewedanu Grace Selase, a Ghanaian student known by her Chinese name of Ai Jiaying, transformed a watermelon into a lantern at the Pinghu Museum in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.

The Pinghu watermelon lantern is a Zhejiang provincial intangible cultural heritage item with a history of nearly 300 years.

"It's so beautiful and such an interesting experience. I felt the rich historical and cultural traditions of Jiangnan," Ai remarked after trying her hand at carving and participating in the local custom of eating watermelon on the Start of Autumn.

Pinghu has a nearly 400-year history of watermelon cultivation. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Pinghu watermelons were considered royal tributes. By the early 20th century, the local specialty "Maling melon" gained nationwide fame, earning Pinghu the title of the "hometown of watermelons".

Li Zhoujie, deputy director of the Pinghu Cultural Center, explained that the art of watermelon lantern carving combines elements of sculpture, calligraphy, and painting. Historically, locals would hollow out watermelons, carve designs on the rind, and place candles inside, turning the practice into an art form by as early as 1753.

In recent years, Pinghu has hosted annual cultural events featuring carving watermelons in September. "I hope to return in the fall to see the watermelon lantern festival again. Next time, I want to carve 'I love China' on my lantern," Ai Jiaying said with anticipation.