A model showcases ancient Chinese costumes adorned with Hunan embroideries. (Photo/Deng Xia)

The 2023 Hunan Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Exhibition and Experience Month, themed "enhancing systematic protection of ICH and promoting sustainable development", raised its curtain on May 24. A series of activities were launched on that day, beginning with an immersive character modeling show.

This show was initiated by the Hunan Vocational College of Art. It vividly presented ancient Chinese costumes in Spring Morning in the Han Palace, one of the Top 10 Ancient Chinese Paintings, on stage.

The event is co-hosted by the Hunan Department of Culture and Tourism and the Hunan Cultural Center (Hunan ICH Protection Center). From the opening day until June 20, performances, exhibitions, study tours, and experiencing activities will be organized to showcase the achievements that Hunan has made in ICH protection, such as ICH-based rural revitalization, ICH trainings, and ICH objects collection.

An embroiderer demonstrates Hunan embroidery skills. (Photo/Deng Xia)

The Hunan ICH Protection Center has collected an array of objects and materials of the national and provincial-level ICH items in recent years, including 80 sets of Hunan embroidery demonstration works, 108 traditional colored patterns of Tujia brocade, 88 traditional patterns of Dong brocade, and 165 Xiang opera facial makeups of ICH inheritor Zeng Jingui.

The 80 sets of Hunan embroidery demonstration works were highlighted at the event, including 42 expressive and 38 decorative stiches in Hunan embroidery techniques. The embroidery patterns, stitches and processes were displayed to showcase the progresses and outcomes in the centurial development of Hunan embroidery techniques.

The Miao embroidery-based rural revitalization demonstration base in Shibadong Village is presented with a Hunan embroidery work. (Photo/Xu Zhuojun)

A rural revitalization achievement exhibition showcased the ICH-based rural revitalization achievements through four cases of intergenerational inheritance among women. The four cases are: Miao embroidery rural revitalization demonstration base in Shibadong Village, Xiangxi; the "Let mothers come back home" Xiangxi Qixiufang ICH Workshop; the Ye's ICH workshop in Longshan County, Xiangxi; the Dong brocade inheritance center in Wenpo Village, Tongdao Dong Autuonmous County; and, the key laboratory of digital cultural creativity and intelligent design technology in Hunan University. These institutions have not only provided job opportunities for local women, but also contributed to the promotion and preservation of traditional ICH techniques.

Various study tours and experience activities will be held at the Hunan ICH Exhibition and Experience Hall in the Hunan Cultural Center, including paper cutting, traditional incense making, and dough modelling.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews