By Keqiao Cheng, EDITOR

When mentioning the intangible cultural heritage of Chongqing, what is the first name that occurs to you? At the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2019, opened this Monday, Jan.7, you might find the answer.

This was the first time that Chongqing exhibited with its unique cultural heritage products, including pottery, grass linen, bamboo curtain, stone carving, Chinese New Year paintings, etc. In the exhibition area, there was a huge crowd watching the craftsmen making presentations about their works.

 

Pottery (Rongchang District, Chongqing)

Commonly known as Antao (Chinese: 安陶) in China, the pottery of Rongchang is named as one of the four most famous types of potteries in this country. The iron content in the soil is high in Rongchang, which is a favorable factor for the pottery making.

Guan Yongshuang, one of the exhibitors, was very proud of their works. During the last two years, he made efforts to innovate the pottery. Based on the traditional Han-Dynasty-style grey pattern of ceramic glaze, he invented more than 20 new patterns by adding different natural plant ashes. “The integration of traditional pottery and modern art is making our new industry catch up with the beat of the times.”

 

Grass linen (Rongchang District, Chongqing)

At the event, a speacial loudspeaker attracted many visitors, because its body is grass line.

Eventually, it was not normal grass linen, but Xiabu (Chinese: 夏布), a kind of cloth made of ramie. The Xiabu of Rongchang was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List of China in 2008.

 

Stone carving (Dazu District, Chongqing)

The Dazu Rock Carvings is a name card of Chongqing. However, people usually don’t know the stone carving of Dazu is also an item of intangible cultural heritage.

The exhibits at the Hong Kong International Licensing Show were inspired by the iconic figures of Dazu Rock Carvings. For instance, the Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva, the Chicken-Feeding Girl, and the Flute-Playing Girl, etc.

 

Sensation among the news media

Chongqing has a diversified culture and possesses 44 items of national-level intangible cultural heritage. “Hong Kong is known as an international city with professional services, and it’s a good opportunity for Chongqing to seek cooperators to help build our cultural industry chain.” Xue Zhu, the Executive Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, said.

The debut of intangible cultural heritages of Chongqing in the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2019 also caused a sensation among the media. Xinhua News, China News, Ta Kung Pao, and other news media also reported the event.

By taking part in this event, Chongqing hoped to promote the intangible cultural heritage and strengthen the soft power of the city.

(photos courtesy of Chongqing Today)