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. ■
春节假期全国安全形势总体平稳 未发生重大灾害事故，较大事故起数同比下降75% 本报北京2月18日电 (记者王冬梅)今年春节假期长、人员流动多，全国应急管理系统全力做好安全防范和应急处置各项工作，为群众欢度新 长三角观察｜揽人、赶工、抢订单：春节拼经济“热辣滚烫” 2月10日是正月初一，上午10点，满载工业品、电子产品和衣帽服饰的新春首列“义新欧”中欧班列从浙江义乌铁路口岸出发，驶往西班牙马德里。 在江苏昆山的华 中新经纬2月23日电 题：马面裙脱销背后，品牌价值尚待深挖 作者 李杰 中新经纬特约专家、山东工艺美术学院服装学院院长 近年来，汉服消费愈加火热，特别是这个春节里马面裙再次火爆出圈，无疑带动了一轮文化消费热。 中新经纬2月23日电 (王玉玲 刘雪玉)近期，美国开放人工智能研究中心(OpenAI)的文生视频大模型Sora一经推出，就引爆互联网。有业内人士认为，以Sora为首的多模态大模型，将带人类走向更超乎想象的地方。如何看待Sora的发 “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 各地开启龙年“抢人” 企业所求不止于短期用工 2024年刚刚“开局”，各地便已开始为复工“冲刺”。无论在沿海地区还是内陆城市，“抢人大战”热战正酣，专车接送、食宿全包......各地大招频出，力争在招工上“先人 。本文链接：Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44719-0.html
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