Not just trade but culture too | Forum

The China International Import Expo is not only a trade carnival for
business people around the world but also a cultural feast offered by
artists from all over the country.Shaanxi Province’s pavilion of
intangible cultural heritage features paper-cutting, shadow puppets,
clay figurines and opera makeup.The second China International Import
Expo will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in
Shanghai from November 5 to 10, 2019.For further information about China
International Import Expo, please visit: www.shine.cn/China-International-Import-Expo/  or

www.shine.cn/ciie2019/v1 .To get more China International Import Expo, you can visit shine news official website.



Some arts would hardly be seen but for the expo. Paper-cutting from Tian
Yali is one of them.Tian, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage,
is from Junyi, a small county in Tongchuan in Shaanxi Province. She was
making paper earrings when Shanghai Daily was at the pavilion.



“Our local tradition is to wear paper-cutting accessories at weddings or
other celebrating events,” said Tian. “Most of my works also reflect
the daily routines of local people.”A four-meter-tall paper-cutting
scroll hangs at the entrance to the pavilion. Tian said it took two
months to design and make. It celebrates the 70th anniversary of the
founding of the People’s Republic of China.



The scroll, using bright red paper, depicts people young and old
celebrating in Tian’anmen Square. After the expo, Tian is donating the
artwork to a museum in Shanghai.



“We bear witness of how life is much better in northwest China,” said
Tian. “And through my paper-cutting, I’d like to share such joy with the
world.”You see the five figures here, they represent the five roles in a
traditional Chinese opera,” Wang told volunteers as he controlled the
strings to make the puppets move. “A skilled puppet master should be
able to control at least all five of them and complete a play.”



Wang told Shanghai Daily shadow play can be traced back to the Yuan
Dynasty (1271-1368) in the 13th century.Though shadow play is a
tradition in many places in China, Shaanxi shadow plays stand out for
their elaborate puppet figures, Wang said.



“All the figures are made with cow leather,” said Wang. “You want to be
able to tell all details of the past through the shadows and lights on a
curtain.”As an example, he cites the ancient practice of foot binding
at a time when small feet were considered beautiful and the way young
women walked was considered decent.



“I made the bound feet for the figure to restore the historical
context,” said Wang. “While you play the puppet, you also want to
demonstrate how the woman sits and kneels, even a skilled master of
puppets will lose the essence of such details if the figure is not
properly made.”Wang, who is 70, has been making puppets for over 50
years. He is now focusing on passing on his skills.



“My daughter is also a puppet crafter now,” said Wang. “She brought in
some new ideas into this traditional business.”With his daughter, Wang
started making figures from not only traditional opera figures but also
characters from popular animations.



“Times are changing, and the art should also keep up with them to
maintain its vitality,” said Wang.For the expo, which opened on Tuesday,
Wang and other artists from the Shaanxi Province Pavilion have prepared
many interesting experiences and small gifts.