Children enjoy the fun of dough modeling

In late March, children from Guanxian county engaged in an activity at a local community center, delving into the art of Langzhuang dough modeling under the guidance of local artists and volunteers from Liaocheng, Shandong province. Many of these children have parents who work far from home.

Originating from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and designated a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, Langzhuang dough modeling involves transforming dough into lifelike characters from real life and folk tales through pinching, kneading, and sticking. These creations are then steamed, painted, and dried, showcasing semi-relief shapes characterized by simplicity, exaggeration, and vividness.

Encouraged to unleash their creativity, the children fashioned flowers and small animals from the colorful dough. Zhao Lejia, a third-grade student, said: "I saw many exquisite items about Langzhuang dough sculpture and learned a lot about it. I also made several small animals, and it was really fun."

Liu Xiaojing, head of the county's publicity department, emphasized that the activity aims to provide an opportunity for children to comprehend traditional intangible cultural heritage through observation and hands-on experience.