Traditional art form thrives through deliciated teaching

Editor's Note:

The Yellow River runs through nine cities in East China's Shandong province and flows into the sea, bringing vitality and prosperity to the land. Along its banks, numerous intangible cultural heritage projects have been created and inherited, reflecting the colorful scenery, brilliant culture and rich diversity of Shandong. Shandong is a province with a long history and a splendid civilization. It boasts 186 national-level intangible cultural heritage projects, ranking it second in the country. Moreover, eight projects have been inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, according to the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Join me on a journey in Meeting the Sea Along the Yellow River in Shandong, to discover the treasures of intangible cultural heritage there and appreciate the charms of this ancient and modern land.

Wang Jingjing, who has been teaching paper-cutting for over 20 years in the Dingtao district of Heze city – in East China's Shandong province – is now faithfully passing down her skills to a new generation of students.

Dingtao paper-cutting originated in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and has evolved over time to include various forms of expression such as making window flowers and ceremonial flowers.

It's become a cherished art form that is used to express invocations for a long life, celebrate festivals and convey best wishes for weddings and birthdays.

As the fifth-generation inheritor of Dingtao paper-cutting, Wang's passion for paper-cutting and dedication to preserving and promoting the local craft has led her to teach in schools.

In the paper-cutting classroom at Wanfu Experimental School, Wang teaches schoolkids how to make cuttings of peonies. [Photo by Li Li for chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang believes that schools provide a more influential platform for the inheritance of traditional culture, as they have the necessary resources and can reach a larger number of students.

Students in Wang's class love her teaching style, saying she patiently explains things and encourages them to find their own way to cut pieces. Wang's dedication to her craft and her students has earned her widespread praise from the community. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)