Zhuhai cultural creations stand out at Shenzhen fair

Cultural and creative enterprises of Zhuhai went to Shenzhen from May 10 to 14 and returned with many awards plus heavy investment in new developments.

The venue was the 14th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF). There, Zhuhai exhibitors received one gold and one bronze medal in China Arts & Crafts Creation. Awards were given for gold-glided artware featuring the 40th anniversary of Reform & Opening-Up and an embroidery artwork depicting Zhuhai's achievements in the new era -- both developed by local souvenir enterprises.

In addition, the Zhuhai delegation won Outstanding Organization and Excellent Presentation awards.

Latest cultural products introduced

In a new deal, the Zhuhai Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau agreed to aid Zhuhai Golden Jazz Cultural Industry Management in a pioneering attempt to integrate opera and jazz. Through a year of design, preparation, research, and exploration, the crossover program has been composed and edited. It includes six adaptations from Qinqiang Opera from the northwest province of Shaanxi; three from Peking Opera, and three from Wu Opera of Wuzhou, now Jinhua, in eastern China's Zhejiang Province.

The project is one of the Ministry of Culture's 2018 key cultural trade and investment programs under the Belt & Road Initiative. It is the only Zhuhai cultural program among 40 selected.

Meanwhile, Maker Station off Jinji Road in Qianshan signed an agreement with Shenzhen Qianhai Global Hi-tech Venture to co-develop a seed fund valued at 100 million yuan ($635 million).

A dedicated exhibition stall gave exposure to eight local cultural and creative industrial parks and characteristic bases. Development plans, investment environment, and investment policies attracted funding for key projects, which are to benefit from a government-enterprise communication channel.　

Embroidery works admired [Photos by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Daily]

The integration of culture and tourism was another focus. Combining culture and tourism was said to be an efficient way to boost local economies.

Zhuhai's major cultural & tourism projects and signature events were also publicized. These include the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China), and China International Circus, the Zhuhai International Beach Music, and Beishan World Music festivals. The new landmark Zhuhai Opera House was also promoted.

National intangible cultural heritage items such as Sanzao Crane Dance, local culinary delicacies, and characteristic handicrafts were featured. The Zhuhai Souvenir Exhibition Area displayed a series of specialties such as Hengshan Preserved Duck Bundles (Ya Zha Bao), Deepsea Fish, Seaweed Pork (raised on a diet of seaweed), and Lianzhou Dendrobium Candidum.

According to the bureau, innovation was introduced to the design of products and all-in-one tourism was explained. Souvenirs with Zhuhai characteristics have been produced since 2014, including crafts, daily necessities, and characteristic agricultural products.