ICH flourishes in Wuxi schools

The Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce displays one of Wuxi's most iconic local products—Huishan clay figurines—at the 5th National College Students Arts Exhibition. [Photo/edu.jschina.com.cn]

The 5th National College Students Arts Exhibition kicked off at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on April 16, receiving works from 47 colleges and universities in China.

As one of six participants from Jiangsu province, the "Xiyun Creative Workshop" of the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce displayed one of Wuxi's most iconic local products—Huishan clay figurines. It also showcased various handicrafts and daily articles relating to the figurines, as well as Wuxi zhima (woodprint joss paper).

This marks the first time that a Wuxi college has displayed works on a national level platform since the city launched its "Introducing Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) to Campus" project in 2007.

An artwork featuring the 24 characters representing the core socialist values of China. [Photo/edu.jschina.com.cn]

The project began with the introduction of Wuxi embroidery to the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce and the Experimental School of Jiangsu Xishan Senior High School through cooperation with embroidery masters. The former now offers Wuxi embroidery courses to students, while the latter has established an embroidery studio and has also offered embroidery classes.

Offering ICH courses in schools will help preserve and pass on traditional Chinese legacies. "Some of our graduates have used their craftsmanship skills to start their own businesses", said Zheng Dan, professor at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce.

In 2013, the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau designated 12 schools as "selected schools for inheriting Wuxi opera". Now, more and more schools in Wuxi are instilling traditional culture into their education systems.

Yu Xianglian, renowned master of Huishan clay figurines, provides ample help to students at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce. [Photo/edu.jschina.com.cn]