Wonderful sugar figurines from Changshan county – located in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province – took center stage at the 2025 Spring Festival-themed event, held in Malta and then in Sweden from Feb 5 to 13.

On Feb 6, the event kicked off at a middle and secondary school on the island nation of Malta, situated in the Mediterranean Sea.

During the opening, Huang Xingwei, representative inheritor of Master Huang's sugar figurine art – a well-known intangible cultural heritage item from Changshan – captivated students with his exquisite sugar figurine craftsmanship.

Maltese students try their hand at sugar figurine making. [Photo/Tide News]

When Huang began making sugar figurines, his nimble hands transformed molten sugar into different lifelike sugar forms, mesmerizing the students who watched in awe. Students gathered around him and intensely focused on his performance, frequently expressing their amazement.

In addition to demonstrating his skills, Huang also invited the students to try their hand at creating their own sugar artworks. The experience enabled Maltese students to appreciate the unique charm of Changshan's intangible cultural heritage up close, sparking their interest in Chinese culture.

After completing the performance in Malta, Huang continued his cultural exchange tour in Sweden and other countries.

Changshan county currently boasts 200 intangible cultural heritage items at various levels, serving as invaluable cultural assets and platforms for international exchanges.