Cultural fair offers a look into life in Longwan

People in traditional Chinese costumes visit booths at the cultural fair in Longwan district. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A cultural fair showcasing the daily lives of locals recently opened next to the branch venue of Longwan district for the Wenzhou International Fashion Cultural Industry Expo .

The fair invited 50 intangible cultural heritage practitioners, craftsmen and cultural and travel brand managers to showcase a variety of original handicrafts, intangible cultural heritage items, local delicacies, and niche life-improving articles.

"We've already been here once before and my daughter enjoyed the snacks and crafts so much that she begged to go again this morning," said a woman surnamed Ye.

A variety of booths have been set up at the cultural fair. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Performances featuring cultural elements of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) were also staged at the fair, including classical instrumental plays, tai chi practices, tea-making sessions, and traditional painting and calligraphy classes.

Since the beginning of this year, Longwan district has been devoted to the protection and renovation of ancient buildings, including the Ye Mengchun Art Gallery, which has been revived from an old folk house by integrating the boxwood carver's work and opened to the public recently.

As a time-honored land of milk and honey, Longwan has been focusing on culture-tourism integration in recent years and has gradually built up its reputation as home to ancient fortresses, rich folk customs, historical figures, and versatile calligraphy genres.

Artists paint at the cultural fair. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony of the Ye Mengchun Art Gallery. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]