A special market featuring intangible cultural and creative products kicks off in Tai'an, Shandong province, on Jan 22. [Tai'an Daily]

A special market featuring intangible cultural and creative products kicked off in Tai'an, Shandong province, on Jan 22, giving the general public the chance to immerse themselves in the traditional festive culture of Tai'an.

At the market, various intangible cultural and creative works such as Dawenkou lace craft umbrellas and Dongyuan clay sculptures were displayed at the booths, creating a vibrant New Year atmosphere.

"We have brought lace umbrellas, lace fans, and Chinese New Year cultural and creative products created using embroidery techniques such as hand-embroidered blessings and auspicious characters, using Spring Festival colors and incorporating elements of the Year of the Snake," said Tang Jinxiao, a fifth-generation practitioner of Dawenkou lace craft.

The art of Taishan paper-cutting is used to make many colorful Spring Festival decorations. On the left side of the exhibition hall, exquisite and festive Taishan paper-cutting works form a sea of red.

"This year's paper-cutting works feature a snake shape merged with the Five Blessings, with plum blossoms embellishing the snake's body, symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune," explained Liu Weijuan, vice-principal of Mount Tai Feng Yuxiang Primary School. They have also turned Mount Tai paper-cutting art into headwear and shoulder decorations for children, showcasing the unique charm and cultural significance of Taishan paper-cutting in each piece.