TIANJIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- In a studio adorned with antique charm in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Zhang Yu delicately rotated the clay sculpture with his left hand while skillfully carving intricate details with a tool in his right.
Gradually, a "Lucky Star" clay figure took shape in Zhang's hands, its face beaming with kindness and joy, while its flowing robes added a sense of movement.
"The Lucky Star held a big gold ingot in his right hand and a ruyi, a symbol of good luck, in his left hand, which means joy and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. It perfectly fitted the festive and peaceful atmosphere of the Spring Festival," said Zhang, the sixth-generation inheritor of Clay Figure Zhang, a renowned form of intangible cultural heritage in China.
To celebrate the Spring Festival in the Year of the Snake, 59 "Lucky Star" clay figures were released on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year. Many customers had already placed reservations, eager to own a piece of art imbued with good wishes.
Clay Figure Zhang is a household name in traditional folk art in China, and such artwork has a history of nearly 200 years. It was listed in 2006 in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage.
The craft's essence lies in its traditional techniques. "The clay used for the Lucky Star sculptures is stored in a cellar for three years before being sculpted. Completing a single piece takes over three months and involves multiple intricate steps, such as shaping, air-drying, firing, polishing and painting," Zhang explained.
"No matter how the themes and styles evolve, we remain committed to excellence in clay sculpture craftsmanship and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage," he added.
On Ancient Culture Street, Tianjin's oldest hub for folk culture and commerce, the red-and-gold signboard of Clay Figure Zhang's shop stands out, drawing visitors inside.
Stepping into the elegant store, customers are greeted by lifelike, vibrantly painted sculptures depicting historical figures, folklore, daily life, and mythical legends, all displayed in the shop's windows.
"Each piece is exquisitely crafted and incredibly lifelike -- it feels as if the figures' expressions convey real emotions. I hope my children can experience this intangible cultural heritage firsthand and develop a love for China's traditional culture," said Teng Haiming, a visitor from Inner Mongolia, as he explored the shop with his children.
The Spring Festival, the social practice of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, was added by UNESCO to its list of intangible cultural heritage in December last year.
Clay Figure Zhang also introduced a series of Chinese New Year-themed sculptures to celebrate the inclusion, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Zhang noted that while these new pieces retained the realistic style and vibrant colors of Clay Figure Zhang's legacy, their design and color palettes incorporated contemporary influences.
"We release about five new works each year, continuously integrating modern elements into our clay figures," Zhang said.
Beyond its traditional sculptures, Clay Figure Zhang has also embraced cultural innovation, expanding into creative merchandise. A wide range of products, such as desk calendars, refrigerator magnets, and stamp books, are displayed in the store.
Among them, a newly launched bookmark stood out. "The bookmark is sealed with wax, similar to a blind box, adding an element of surprise for customers like drawing a lottery," said Li Dan, deputy general manager of Clay Figure Zhang.
Gao Pengfei, a 24-year-old visitor from Shandong, chose a Guan Gong clay sculpture bookmark inspired by the historical figure renowned for his loyalty.
"These new products bring intangible cultural heritage closer to younger generations, helping tourists better appreciate Tianjin's unique traditions," he said.
Li emphasized the importance of keeping traditional culture relevant in modern times. "We can't just wait for young people to take an interest in intangible cultural heritage. We must engage with the evolving market," she said.
"During the Spring Festival holiday, tourists from all over China visit our shop. We hope this store serves as a window to showcase the charm of Tianjin's folk art, culture, and intangible heritage," Zhang said. ■
预约“手慢无”！各地春节文旅成绩单亮眼 中新网北京2月19日电(张钰惠)18日，文旅部发布数据显示，春节假期8天全国国内旅游出游4.74亿人次，同比增长34.3%，按可比口径较2019年同期增长19.0%；国内游客出游总花费6326.87 中新经纬2月18日电 据微信号“中国铁路”18日消息，2月17日正月初八，春节假期最后一天，全国铁路发送旅客1606.7万人次，连续4天刷新春运单日旅客发送量历史新高；春节假期(2月10日至17日)，全国铁路累计发送旅客9946万人次 本报讯 记者付朝欢报道 为贯彻落实《数字中国建设整体布局规划》工作部署，摸清数据资源底数，加快数据资源开发利用，更好发挥数据要素价值，国家数据局综合司、中央网信办秘书局、工业和信息化部办公厅、 为降低新一轮低温雨雪冰冻天气对农业生产带来的影响，湖北省沙洋县农业农村局组织技术服务指导组深入田间地头，重点围绕蔬菜大棚、油菜等主打产业，开展防冻避灾、病虫防控等全程技术指导服务，最大限度减少 新华社兰州2月21日电（记者郁琼源、张晓洁）农业农村部部长唐仁健21日说，要坚持“守底线、增动力、促振兴”协同推进，聚焦增强脱贫地区和脱贫群众内生发展动力，持续加强防止返贫监测帮扶，加快建立农村低收入 “中新免签朋友圈”效应：春节赴新游同比涨960% 带动“新马泰”线路 21世纪经济报道 胡慧茵 春节是新加坡重要的节日。每到农历新年，新加坡的大街小巷就洋溢起浓浓的年味。 “在新加坡唐人街牛车水，我们看 。本文链接：Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44486-0.html
声明：本网站为非营利性网站，本网页内容由互联网博主自发贡献，不代表本站观点，本站不承担任何法律责任。天上不会到馅饼，请大家谨防诈骗！若有侵权等问题请及时与本网联系，我们将在第一时间删除处理。
上一篇： GLOBALink | German entrepreneur embraces Chinese New Year traditions in E China
下一篇： Across China: Robots add futuristic twist to China's Spring Festival