TV drama promoting the culture of Xuan paper begins shooting in Anhui

Zhong Mo Yuan (The Ink-Sown Garden), a TV series dedicated to promoting the thousand-year-old Xuan paper culture, began shooting on Sept 21 in the city of Xuancheng in Anhui province, with an 80-day filming schedule, according to the producers.

Produced by China Central Television, the story, directed by Song Yeming, follows a young woman who quits her job in Beijing to return to her hometown and care for her ailing mother. After securing a position as a local government official, she discovers that the traditional Xuan paper industry is on the brink of decline.

Determined to revitalize it, she launches initiatives such as developing Xuan paper notebooks, securing orders for Xuan wallpaper in Beijing, and organizing a cultural festival promoting the "four treasures of the study" — a traditional term referring to the brush, ink, paper and inkstone.

Xuan paper, renowned for its exceptional quality, longevity and vital role in Chinese calligraphy and painting, is a revered cultural icon.

Director Song revealed he was drawn to the script's unique structure and characters, particularly its perspective of a grassroots civil servant. He was also captivated by the dramatic tension within a family of Xuan paper artisans as they navigate the challenges of guarding traditions, passing down their craft and innovating for the future.