#Switzerland #Shanxi Heritage #Geneva #Cultural Exhibition #Datong Knot

Shanxi's Rich Cultural Heritage on Display in Geneva

On September 29, 2026, at a reception held by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations in Geneva, the cultural legacy of Shanxi province was spotlighted for an audience of over a hundred foreign diplomats. This event marked a significant occasion where Shanxi displayed its intangible cultural heritage, showcasing various aspects of its unique cultural contributions through an engaging exhibition.

Artists and officials from Shanxi set up an impressive exhibition that captured the attention of attendees with its rich variety of exhibits. Highlighting traditional skills and craftsmanship, the event enabled guests to witness some of Shanxi’s most revered cultural practices firsthand. Among the featured artists was Yang Xuefei, a master of the traditional Datong knot technique. From her base in Datong, Yang presented an array of beautifully crafted brooches, totaling forty-eight pieces, each representing a fusion of local heritage and contemporary design.

During the event, Yang created some of her works in real-time, capturing the interest of the Swiss guests as they observed her intricate knotting methods. Although her creations featured the Swiss national symbol, the edelweiss, they also embodied elements from Datong’s local culture, particularly the ornamental ribbons inspired by the statues found in the Yungang Grottoes. Yang and her colleagues have designed over five hundred unique cultural products, each rooted in the Datong-knot technique, effectively turning these small tokens into vessels for promoting Chinese culture internationally.

In addition to Yang’s work, Bai Huaibing, a master craftsman renowned for the ancient art of colored glazing from Jiexiu, showcased more than twenty outstanding pieces. Jiexiu boasts a millennium-long history in the art of colored glazing, evident in the numerous buildings and decorative elements that feature this well-preserved art form. Bai’s family has been involved in this craft for generations, and he presented a range of glazing techniques that resonate with modern aesthetics. At the exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to learn how glazes are applied to ceramic forms, enhancing their appreciation for this traditional Chinese art.

Other notable exhibits included Shangdang brocade from Changzhi, hand-polished lacquerware from Pingyao, and Chengni ink stones from Yuncheng, illustrating the diverse artistic talents residing in Shanxi. The exhibition organizers emphasized the province’s wealth of intangible cultural heritage. With an impressive total of 182 representative items recognized on the national list and 198 nationally acknowledged bearers of this heritage, Shanxi is a significant custodian of cultural traditions. Furthermore, the province is home to over a thousand items recognized at the provincial level.

The exhibition successfully piqued the interest of many visitors, prompting those previously unfamiliar with Shanxi to explore it further. It wasn’t uncommon to see attendees browsing maps of Shanxi on their smartphones, discussing plans to visit and experience the province's rich cultural offerings firsthand. Overall, this event served as a vital opportunity to share and promote the depth of Shanxi's cultural heritage on an international stage, effectively bridging the gap between distant cultures and fostering appreciation for traditional Chinese artistry among a global audience.