Shanxi's Cultural Heritage Shines at the United Nations in Geneva
In a recent reception hosted by China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Shanxi province took center stage by showcasing its rich intangible cultural heritage. This event, held at the end of September, attracted more than 100 foreign diplomats eager to explore the unique traditions of this northeastern Chinese province.
The exhibition, organized by local officials and artisans from Shanxi, featured an impressive array of cultural artifacts that captured the guests' interest. One of the highlights was a display by Yang Xuefei, a skilled artisan from the city of Datong, known for her expertise in the art of knotting. Yang showcased 48 exquisitely crafted brooches created using the traditional 'Datong knots' technique, which is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. To appeal to her Swiss audience, Yang specifically designed some brooches that incorporated the edelweiss, Switzerland's national flower, alongside elements from Datong's local culture, such as ornamental ribbons inspired by figures from the Yungang Grottoes.
Yang and her team have successfully created over 500 cultural products based on Datong's knotting technique and local traditions. Their dedication to crafting these pieces has enabled them to promote Chinese culture worldwide, presenting these artistic creations in various countries over the past few years.
Another prominent exhibit included over 20 pieces from Bai Huaibing, a master artisan adept in the ancient craft of colored enamel from Jiexiu city. Jiexiu has a long-standing tradition of enamel craftsmanship, and the pieces presented at the event were in excellent condition, with architectural decorations and ceramic objects showcasing this art form. Coming from a family with generations of experience in enamel production, Bai has brought a modern aesthetic to his creations. He even demonstrated to visitors the technique of applying enamel to ceramics, offering them a deeper understanding of this traditional Chinese art.
Other traditional crafts showcased included Changzhi's Shangdang brocade, Pingyao's hand-polished lacquer, and Yuncheng's chengni ink stones. The exhibition successfully raised interest in Shanxi, and many attendees unfamiliar with the province began to look it up on their mobile phones, even planning future visits.
Shanxi's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its acknowledgment of 182 representative elements of intangible cultural heritage listed nationally, alongside 198 nationally recognized bearers of these traditions. The province also boasts over 1,000 intangible cultural heritage elements at the provincial level. Shanxi's commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural identity is evident through events like this, ensuring that its unique traditions continue to be celebrated on the global stage. As the world increasingly values authentic cultural expressions, Shanxi's presence at international gatherings underscores its growing role in cultural diplomacy, fostering deeper connections through its vibrant heritage.
As the guests departed, the lasting impression of Shanxi’s cultural legacy lingered, promising future collaborations and exchanges that may continue to emerge as awareness increases. This event not only highlighted the beauty of Shanxi's traditions but also paved the way for greater appreciation of Chinese culture as a whole.
The exhibition, organized by local officials and artisans from Shanxi, featured an impressive array of cultural artifacts that captured the guests' interest. One of the highlights was a display by Yang Xuefei, a skilled artisan from the city of Datong, known for her expertise in the art of knotting. Yang showcased 48 exquisitely crafted brooches created using the traditional 'Datong knots' technique, which is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. To appeal to her Swiss audience, Yang specifically designed some brooches that incorporated the edelweiss, Switzerland's national flower, alongside elements from Datong's local culture, such as ornamental ribbons inspired by figures from the Yungang Grottoes.
Yang and her team have successfully created over 500 cultural products based on Datong's knotting technique and local traditions. Their dedication to crafting these pieces has enabled them to promote Chinese culture worldwide, presenting these artistic creations in various countries over the past few years.
Another prominent exhibit included over 20 pieces from Bai Huaibing, a master artisan adept in the ancient craft of colored enamel from Jiexiu city. Jiexiu has a long-standing tradition of enamel craftsmanship, and the pieces presented at the event were in excellent condition, with architectural decorations and ceramic objects showcasing this art form. Coming from a family with generations of experience in enamel production, Bai has brought a modern aesthetic to his creations. He even demonstrated to visitors the technique of applying enamel to ceramics, offering them a deeper understanding of this traditional Chinese art.
Other traditional crafts showcased included Changzhi's Shangdang brocade, Pingyao's hand-polished lacquer, and Yuncheng's chengni ink stones. The exhibition successfully raised interest in Shanxi, and many attendees unfamiliar with the province began to look it up on their mobile phones, even planning future visits.
Shanxi's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its acknowledgment of 182 representative elements of intangible cultural heritage listed nationally, alongside 198 nationally recognized bearers of these traditions. The province also boasts over 1,000 intangible cultural heritage elements at the provincial level. Shanxi's commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural identity is evident through events like this, ensuring that its unique traditions continue to be celebrated on the global stage. As the world increasingly values authentic cultural expressions, Shanxi's presence at international gatherings underscores its growing role in cultural diplomacy, fostering deeper connections through its vibrant heritage.
As the guests departed, the lasting impression of Shanxi’s cultural legacy lingered, promising future collaborations and exchanges that may continue to emerge as awareness increases. This event not only highlighted the beauty of Shanxi's traditions but also paved the way for greater appreciation of Chinese culture as a whole.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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