Tangshan carnival celebrates cultural heritage

The first Tangshan Intangible Cultural Heritage Music Carnival was held at Nanhu scenic area in Tangshan, Hebei province.

The concert, from Nov 24 to Sunday, was hosted by the China Digital Culture Group and the Tangshan Culture and Tourism Group, and co-organized by the Chinese Coal Mine Art Troupe. It was themed on "I sing for you the legacy of the past''.

The carnival featured three main programs: the intangible cultural heritage music carnival, heritage market, and heritage small stage.

The carnival kicked off with a star-studded performance on  the main stage in Danfeng Chaoyang Square. Renowned performers such as soprano singer Chen Sisi, musician Guo Feng, singer Jin Runji, pop singer Ulan Tuya, Mongolian Folk Metal Band SULD, pop band Erguna, throat-singing band Dongfangshen Chun, and Uyghur music group Tianshan Snow Lotus Group performed on stage, captivating a large number of music fans including college students from Tangshan. Traditional instruments like the Korean long drum, pipa, guzheng, zhongruan, and horse-head fiddle blended seamlessly with rock and electronic music, creating a unique experience for the audience.

Meanwhile, at the heritage market, artisans displayed more than 50 national and provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects from various provinces and regions.

Visitors had the opportunity to sample local culture such as Chengdu sugar painting, Wenzhou rice carving, Weifang kite making, Laomao lanterns, Yao people's oil tea, Gaojia sugar balls, Suide mutton noodles, Huaiyang earth dog statues, and Keerqin leather carving.

At the heritage small stage, performers from the Chinese Coal Mine Art Troupe treated the audience to a series of exquisite traditional performances including crosstalk, vocal mimicry, diabolo playing, face changing of Sichuan opera, and wrestling. Despite the cold weather, the audience remained enthusiastic and engaged.

The carnival generated online buzz with related topics trending among netizens. Many commented that they were inspired by the integration of traditional culture and modern music and loved how it captured the essence of both forms of art.

This three-day event celebrated rich cultural heritage across the country by seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. It not only provided a platform for showcasing intangible cultural heritage which makes its way into modern life, but also introduced these age-old cultural forms to the younger generation.