Cultural Heritages Bring New Year Cheer

Chongqing - On January 17, showcasing China's rich cultural heritage, the "Intangible Cultural Heritages Celebrate a Good New Year" event officially opened at Jiefangbei, downtown Chongqing.

Following the proud moment on December 4, 2024, when UNESCO recognized the Chinese Spring Festival as "the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," the event marks the beginning of a ten-day cultural extravaganza that aims to cherish and preserve the traditional New Year customs and intangible cultural heritages of Chongqing.

The lion dance at the opening ceremony cheered everyone up (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

The opening ceremony was a multidimensional feast blending culture, art, technology, and interactive experiences. The ceremony included captivating performances such as the "Mountains and Rivers Poetry Miles" dance, an innovative lion dance, and a traditional Hanfu fashion show. Notable guests, including national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors such as Yin Liping, the Chinese influencer Li Ziqi's lacquer art master, were grateful for people's support for traditional art. "I wish there would be more art events like this to tell the stories of lacquer art to the public and attract young people to learn about it," said the master.

Yin Liping, Li Ziqi's lacquer art master (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

Another highlight of the event will be the "New Year Paintings for Every Home" activity, taking place from 20 to 22. This event features the renowned Liangping woodblock New Year paintings inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2006. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to witness these traditional artworks' exquisite craftsmanship and unique charm, guided by master craftsman Xu Jiahui, a national-level inheritor of this heritage. Visitors can also receive these beautiful paintings as gifts from the master on the spot or join the online event to win his works.

Throughout the event, the streets near Jiefangbei are adorned with exhibits and activities related to intangible cultural heritages. One such exhibit is a grand lacquer art exhibition featuring masterpieces, allowing visitors to experience the intricate craft up close. The event also focuses on promoting the cultural and economic vitality of Yuzhong District, with activities such as the New Year Concert and City Image Exhibition showcasing the district's unique cultural charm, tourism appeal, and economic strength.

The Hanfu fashion show was presented at the "Intangible Cultural Heritages Celebrate a Good New Year" event. (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

The "Intangible Cultural Heritages Celebrate a Good New Year" event stands as a unique cultural feast, offering a lively and immersive experience that brings traditional intangible cultural heritages into the contemporary spotlight just in time for the upcoming Year of the Snake. "It is really novel to see how our cultural heritages add more new year vibe to this Spring Festival," said Wu Zhifu, a local who was fascinated by the lacquer art exhibition.