Guangzhou Culture Week gives US a taste of China

A special event honoring the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States and celebrating the 2019 Chinese New Year was recently held at the Embassy of China in the United States.

During the event, the city of Guangzhou showcased its unique intangible cultural heritage items, including Guangcai ceramics, the lion dance and opera costume-making, helping to promote traditional Chinese culture overseas.

Organized by non-profit public diplomacy organization Meridian International Center and the Embassy of China in the United States, the event was attended by Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the US, and Wilbur Louis Ross Jr., the US Secretary of Commerce. 

Wilbur Louis Ross Jr. (R2), the US Secretary of Commerce, raises a "lion" head during the event on Feb 6. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

This marks the first time that Guangzhou Cultural Week, an event dedicated to spreading Guangzhou culture around the world, has brought its intangible cultural heritage items overseas.

According to Zhao Weibin, an inheritor of the Cantonese lion dance who brought two "lions" to the event, the Cantonese lion dance was well-received at the event, and both adults and children visited the exhibition area to admire the "lions" and interact with lion dancers.

Art lovers show great interest in Guangcai ceramics. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

Zhao said they prepared thoroughly for the event. "In addition to the two lion heads, we also brought more than 1,000 lion masks for children to paint, as well as various cultural and creative products including lion puppets, small lion-shaped pendants, and decorations."

Guangcai ceramics and opera costume-making also garnered a lot of attention. The booths set up by Tan Wenhui, national inheritor of Guangcai ceramics, and Dong Huilan, provincial inheritor of opera costume-making techniques, were packed with visitors eager to learn about the crafts.

"Our foreign friends are very interested in the intangible cultural heritage shows. Some even wore Chinese cheongsams or red dresses to celebrate the Chinese New Year," said an official from the administration of culture, radio, film, television, press and publication of Guangzhou.

A young girl is taught costume-making techniques by an inheritor. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]  

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Guangzhou Culture Week also held dance, music, and magic shows to highlight Lingnan artistry. The shows were performed by the Guangzhou Song and Dance Theater, the Guangzhou Acrobatic Art Theatre and the Guangdong National Orchestra.