Chinese papercutting art shines in Switzerland

Known as Jian Zhi in Chinese, papercutting is a traditional folk art with a rich history that dates back over a millennium – with the creative process likened to a magical dance of scissors and paper, that transforms simple materials into a burst of creativity and joy.

To introduce the art to her Swiss friends, Zhang Qin, a native of Shanxian county – situated in Heze city in East China's Shandong province – recently organized an event entitled Culture Shandong: Exploring Chinese Papercutting Art.

During the activity, Zhang introduced her Swiss friends to Chinese papercutting works created by Yao Hong, an art teacher from the Xuzhai Town Middle School in Shanxian county.

Yao is a folk artist passionate about papercutting and has been recognized with numerous awards in domestic competitions and international exhibitions, including the 4th Tokyo Folk Crafts Exhibition.

Her papercutting pieces – including Full Moon and Blooming Flowers and Butterflies Dancing among Flowers – feature themes like reunions, happiness and well-being as represented by the moon, peony flowers and butterflies.

Zhang's Swiss friends were amazed by the intricate patterns and smooth lines in the handmade papercutting works and described Chinese papercutting art as "exceptionally beautiful".

Zhang Qin presents beautiful red papercuts to her Swiss friends. [Photo provided by Wang Xiaolan for chinadaily.com.cn]

In addition, Zhang also provided insights into the origin and development of papercutting. The art emerged during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), when paper had just been invented.

It quickly gained popularity and became one of China's oldest folk-art forms. Papercutting boasts a very wide range of applications, including celebrations, indoor decorations and book illustrations, among others.

Zhang said that all her Swiss friends are showing a keen interest in Chinese culture beyond papercutting. She added that's motivated her to keep promoting Chinese culture to the outside world and contribute to the deepening of friendship between the people of China and Switzerland. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)