Shanxi charms Taiwan with its rich cultural heritage

The "Charming Sanjin" Thematic Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Shanxi opened in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan on Nov 8.

The exhibition is being sponsored by a number of organizations, including the Chinese Culture Friendship Association, the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, and Shanxi Department of Culture and Tourism, and will last until Nov 21.

Li Gui, deputy director of Shanxi Department of Culture and Tourism, said that the exhibition will demonstrate the charm of Shanxi, and boost exchanges and cooperation between the province and Taiwan.

Through material objects, pictures and videos, the exhibition presents 10 categories of intangible cultural heritage from Shanxi's traditional handicrafts, fine arts, operas, and folk arts, as well as the efforts that have been made to protect them.

The organizers have also launched an experience workshop to enable more residents of Taiwan to feel the charm of Shanxi's intangible cultural heritage through the teaching and exchange of experts from across the Straits.

Kevin C. L. Chen, president of Taiwan Chinese Hanwei Cultural Promotion Association, said that the exhibition brings together the essence of intangible cultural heritage from all over Shanxi and visitors from Taiwan can be immersed in Shanxi culture.

Shanxi has a long history and renowned culture. The remains of ancient buildings, grottoes, sculptures, and murals are evident throughout the province.

There are 531 State-level key cultural relics protection sites, more than anywhere else in China. And over 70 percent of the existing ancient buildings on the ground before the Song (960-1279), Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties are in Shanxi, together forming a museum of ancient architecture.

The province also boasts folk culture with strong regional characteristics, including Jinju Opera, paper-cutting, shadow puppets, dough sculptures and lacquerware.