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. ■
春节档蝶变：从7亿到80亿，从影院冷清到票房飞驰 在刚刚结束的春节档，电影市场再度创造历史。据灯塔研究院最新发布的《龙腾虎跃，势如破竹――2024年春节档电影市场洞察报告》， 2024年春节档(2月10日-2月17日)，全国电 中国春节跨境游回暖：免签效应强，入境消费火 中新社北京2月18日电 (记者 夏宾)“双向奔赴”的跨境旅游在中国春节假期回暖。 随着中国对多个国家单方面免签证，与新加坡、马来西亚互免签证，推出一系列入境游便利 OpenAI首个视频生成模型发布 可用文本生成视频 虚拟与现实已分不清？Sora将带来什么 在2月16日，OpenAI宣布推出全新的生成式人工智能模型“Sora”。据了解，通过文本指令，Sora可以直接输出长达60秒的视频，并且包 平台数据显示春节中国游客足迹遍布全球1700多个城市 中新社北京2月17日电 (记者 刘亮)中国在线旅游平台去哪儿17日发布的数据显示，今年春节假期中国游客足迹遍布全球115个国家，覆盖全球1754个城市。 据去哪儿 新华社首尔2月21日电 “观览时间已结束，请有序退场。”位于韩国龙仁爱宝乐园的熊猫世界里，工作人员引导着前来参观旅韩大熊猫“福宝”一家的游客。在韩国出生的大熊猫“福宝”计划今年4月初回国。依 新华社记者周楠、余春生、谢奔“路上快要结冰了，开车要注意安全。”2月21日中午，在省道S306茶垭段，寒风瑟瑟，湖南省桑植县竹叶坪乡政府工作人员李雅敏正和同事对过往车辆进行警示提醒。气象部门分析，受强 。本文链接：Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44627-0.html
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