Zhang Juhua (R), the inheritor of Maliu embroidery from Guangyuan, Sichuan province, shows her gourd pyrography work just made under the guidance of Zheng Jincheng (L), the inheritor of gourd pyrography from Mianyang, Sichuan. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

"Fine work requires a steady hand," agreed Zhang Juhua, the inheritor of Maliu embroidery from Guangyuan, Sichuan province, and Zheng Jincheng, the inheritor of gourd pyrography from Mianyang, Sichuan.

On June 1, at the People's Auditorium of Southwest China's Chongqing, these two preservers of intangible cultural heritage had the opportunity to exchange their skills in person.

Around 11 o'clock in the morning, Zheng shared his expertise with Zhang, who was trying pyrography on a gourd for the first time. He advised that applying more pressure would make the pyrography pen's strokes more pronounced.

With earnest attention, Zhang began to create a work to send blessings for her daughter. During the process, the pyrography pen, heated to 700-800 degrees Celsius, emitted light wisps of smoke.

A few minutes later, a gourd bearing the character "fu" (fortune) and the idiom "jinbangtiming" (success in the examination) took shape.