The second China Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Annual Conference opens in Yixing on July 20. [Photo provided by Shen Jian to gowuxi.com]
The second China Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Annual Conference opened in Yaohu Town, a scenic area in Yixing, Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on July 20.
Over the course of three days, the annual conference featured an opening ceremony, an intangible cultural heritage fair, and thematic forums.
The logo of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association is unveiled at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided by Shen Jian to gowuxi.com]
The opening ceremony saw the release of the logo of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association and the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Communication Blue Book 2024, which was compiled by various research institutes as well as short video-sharing platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou.
Purple clay teaware is on display at the intangible cultural heritage fair during the annual conference. [Photo provided by Shen Jian to gowuxi.com]
The cultural fair showcased over 300 intangible cultural heritage items from around the country. Notable displays included Kunqu Opera from Jiangsu, the lion dance from South China's Guangdong, and folk songs from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The exhibits were creatively presented in stores, stalls, on the street, and over water, providing visitors with an immersive experience that seamlessly blended traditional culture with modern life.
Yixing, the host city, boasts not only stunning landscapes but also millennia-old cultural treasures such as the art of making purple clay teaware and Yangxian tea. These cultural assets exemplify Wuxi's commitment to preserving local intangible cultural heritage.
Tourists flock to the intangible cultural heritage fair in Yaohu Town. [Photo provided by Shen Jian to gowuxi.com]
In recent years, the city has made strides in strengthening the preservation of its local intangible cultural heritage as well as promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional crafts.
For instance, in 2021, an online trading platform for Yixing's purple clay teaware was launched to offer a secure, efficient, and convenient trading environment for both craftsmen and collectors, further improving the brand recognition.
