Chongqing - The 2023 CapitaLand Young Creator "Showcasing to the World" Charity Fair commenced on December 1 at Raffles City Chongqing and was attended by nearly 100 distinguished guests. 

Themed "Bridging the City with the Mountains, Connecting the Future to the Past, Presenting China to the World, and Showcasing to the Word," the fair, a collaboration between CapitaLand and EVE-China Craftsmanship's Remote Mountain Bazar, runs from December 1 to 3. It offers an immersive exhibition and interactive experience, blending China-style, contemporary, and ethnic themes, to Chongqing residents and visitors worldwide.

Miao handmade bag (Photo/Cheng Jialu)

A Symphony of Handicrafts, Performances, and Local Delicacies

Butterflies, silver jewelry, and landscapes, among other quintessential Miao elements, imbue the atrium of Raffles City Chongqing at Chaotianmen with a rich Miao ambiance. Remote Mountain Bazaar curated over 500 products, encompassing ethnic handicrafts and the Pengshui Culinary Marketplace. Developed in collaboration with the bazaar team and local Pengshui brands, it showcases and sells more than 60 varieties of agricultural products.

Miao handmade hat (Photo/Cheng Jialu)

There, consumers can relish in over 10 Miao song and dance performances, including Cai Hua Shan (literally Treading upon the Blossom Hills), offering an intimate glimpse into Miao traditions and a deeper understanding of their rich culture.

Miao ethnic silver headdress (Photo/Cheng Jialu)

Additionally, a range of craft workshops gained popularity. Notably, Miao ethnic embroidered scarves and wax paintings, hosted by instructors and students from the Chongqing Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County Vocational Education Center, not only provided a platform for student social practice but also offered an opportunity to share the allure of traditional folk culture from deep within the mountains with a broader audience.

AI Creativity, Virtual Museums, and Architectural Innovation

At the fair, CapitaLand unveiled its AI-driven cultural and creative brand, Pengshui Cultural Companionship Boutique, marking a novel venture to synergize with Pengshui's local culture using AIGC technology in product design and the offline experience. Featuring four product lines and nine items, the store aims to showcase Pengshui's rich culture globally through its inviting products. The exclusive AIGC mini-program "Pengyou Bouquet" (literally bouquets from friends) enables users to craft unique Miao embroidery bouquets as a token of blessing for friends and family. Visitors at the fair can collect corresponding bouquet commemorative badges and fridge stickers.

Miao ethnic embroidery products (Photo/Cheng Jialu)

The Virtual Museum Experience of Miao Culture, a collaborative creation by CapitaLand Group, Chongqing University, and Minzu University of China, is also open to visitors during the fair. Rooted in the cultural essence of Pengshui's Miao community and enhanced with VR technology, the museum offers a dynamic interactive experience. Equipped with VR glasses, visitors encounter virtual Miao figures Aniu (a Miao boy) and Ajiao (a Miao girl), who guide them through an immersive exploration of Pengshui's Miao culture across auditory, visual, and tactile dimensions.

All event revenue generated will be directed to supporting the education of ethnic minorities in Pengshui. (Photo/Cheng Jialu)

During the fair, the second atrium of Raffles City Chongqing hosted a retrospective exhibition themed "The Beauty of Architecture" as part of the "CapitaLand Young Creators" public welfare program. For the first time, it showcased architectural design and renovation proposals for Yushan School in Pengshui, conceived by architecture students from Tianjin University, South China University of Technology, Chongqing University, and Xi'an Architectural University of Science and Technology. Attendees were invited to vote on these design proposals and architectural models on-site. The results, combined with the outcomes of online voting that commenced at the end of October, will determine the "Best Popularity Award" recipient.

The Virtual Museum Experience of Miao Culture (Photo/Cheng Jialu)

This fair masterfully blends public welfare with commerce, delving deep into Pengshui's rich and distinct ethnic culture. Leveraging digital empowerment and immersive scene creation, it showcases the unique culture and folklore of Pengshui's Miao people to domestic and international consumers. This approach not only brings visibility to the ethnic group within the city but also elevates their presence on a global stage.

(Cheng Jialu, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)