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. ■
中新经纬1月11日电 据高检网11日消息，国家开发银行原党委委员、副行长王用生涉嫌受贿一案，由国家监察委员会调查终结，移送检察机关审查起诉。日前，经最高人民检察院指定管辖，吉林省人民检察院依法以涉嫌受贿罪对王用生 春节假期北京接待游客1749.5万人次 旅游市场热度攀升 中新网北京2月18日电 (记者 徐婧)记者17日从北京市文化和旅游局获悉，春节假期(2月10日至17日)，北京接待游客1749.5万人次，按可比口径同比增长37.4%，比2019年同 哈尔滨冰雪大世界日前正式闭园。暂别冬日火爆“出圈”的“尔滨”，东北正迎来全面振兴的春天。从全面振兴的视角研究和探讨“尔滨现象”，具有特殊意义。这是因为，全面振兴的关键在于产业转型发展 检察题材电影《第二十条》春节档全国热映，艺术地诠释了“法不能向不法让步”的司法理念，受到社会各界的广泛关注。最高检微信公众号即日起开设“你评我说·检察官看《第二十条》”专栏，邀请检察人员 中新经纬2月22日电 证监会辽宁监管局网站22日消息，经查，辽宁中鑫华资产评估事务所(有限合伙)从事证券服务业务，未按规定向中国证券监督管理委员会备案。 辽宁证监局认为，以上行为违反了《证券服务机构从事证券服务 中国一汽审计与法务部总经理闫锋接受纪律审查和监察调查 中新网2月22日电 据中央纪委国家监委网站，据中国一汽纪委、吉林省纪委监委消息：中国一汽审计与法务部总经理闫锋涉嫌严重违纪违法，目前正接受中国一汽纪委 。本文链接：Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44328-0.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