Showcasing the Charm of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Spreading the “Wind of Civilization”: Four Inheritors in Yantai Share Stories of New Trends Through Their Works

In an effort to promote the transformation of old customs and advocate for new civilized practices, Yantai City organized the "New Trends in Intangible Cultural Heritage" campaign on December 1. The event featured small theatrical performances and aimed to highlight the ongoing evolution of traditions. During the event, four ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) inheritors—Quan Fujian, Yu Zhina, Chen Liang, and Liang Qiaoyan—showcased their creative works centered on social themes. They explained their creative concepts and called for the embrace of new, civilized trends.

 

A Bowl of Noodles Reflecting the "Way" of Civilization

Quan Fujian, the representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage "Fushan Big Noodles," elaborated on the values of "filial piety, love, and joy" embedded in the tradition of Fushan Big Noodles. He shared examples such as the “Warm Heart Noodles,” “Harmonious Couple Noodles,” and “Five Blessings Prosperity Noodles.”

 

“Changing old customs can still honor the inheritance of traditional culture, and noodles are an important vehicle for this tradition. Known as ‘lucky meals,’ noodles are served during significant life events—births, full-month celebrations, 100-day milestones, birthdays, weddings, and longevity celebrations. They carry profound meaning,” explained Quan Fujian. He emphasized that while enjoying traditional dishes, people can also make practical changes in their social practices. To better integrate ICH with the evolving social norms, he designed a unique set of tableware based on the concept of “clean plate brings blessings,” promoting thrift and discouraging waste.

Joyous “Winds” Hidden in Jiaodong “Bobo”

“We have a saying: ‘One pair of tigers, one pair of swallows, and a pair of ox hooves to crown the champion,’ which expresses beautiful wishes for a child's future,” shared Yu Zhina, the representative inheritor of the Jiaodong Bobo (dough figurines).

 

"The Jiaodong bobo are not only beautiful but also delicious. These visually appealing and flavorful creations also serve as significant symbols in changing old customs. Celebratory events need not always feature lavish banquets; traditional bobo can also create a sense of ceremony,” Yu emphasized. For example, the copper basin bobo used in weddings symbolize abundance and prosperity in the years to come. The meanings embedded in Jiaodong bobo reflect the people's blessings and hopes for a better life. “These intangible cultural heritages, hidden in food, vividly convey the transformation of customs through traditional cultural expressions,” she said. Yu expressed her commitment to continuing the inheritance of Jiaodong bobo while advocating for a civilized and modern way of life through compelling stories.

 

Pyrography: Passing on the Spirit of “Harmony and Respect for the Elderly”
Chen Liang, an inheritor of Yantai’s traditional pyrography art, showcased several gourd pyrography pieces, each rich in traditional cultural elements.

“The theme of social practices offers a broad scope for artistic creation. My recent works focus primarily on harmony, respect for the elderly, and mutual love,” said Chen. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, he depicted scenes he observed in rural areas, such as an elderly person feeding their spouse to convey mutual love, and a young girl helping her grandmother across the street to reflect traditional values of caring for elders. “Pyrography is an ancient art form with profound cultural heritage. Through my creations, I can effectively combine pyrography with the theme of changing customs, enabling more people to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts and integrate civilized practices into daily life.”

Intricate Papercuts Promoting “Ten Resistances, Ten Advocacies”
Liang Qiaoyan, the representative inheritor of Yantai’s national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) papercutting, shared her works on the theme of "Ten Resistances, Ten Advocacies."

Holding her papercutting frame, she explained, “This piece depicts the spirit of the Foolish Old Man who moved mountains, advocating hard work to achieve prosperity. It shows people of all ages working together, and I adorned it with golden flowers symbolizing the path to prosperity.”

Liang’s creative inspiration came from Yantai’s traditional culture and daily life. Some elements in the paper-cutting were drawn from cultural relics in the Yantai Museum, while others were inspired by local intangible cultural heritage, such as the Haiyang Yangko dance, Changdao fishermen’s songs, and Mantis Boxing. "This is both an inheritance and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, as well as a way to advocate for the transformation of customs."

Harmonizing Intangible Cultural Heritage with Changing Social Practices

At the exhibition, the booths showcasing intangible cultural heritage (ICH) works were crowded with citizens, who offered high praise for the displayed pieces. "The combination of ICH and evolving customs is both refreshing and creative," said Mr. Wang, a local resident. "While appreciating traditional art, we also learn about traditional culture and modern civilized practices, which help us understand the importance of abandoning outdated customs."

"ICH and the evolution of old customs complement each other. ICH originates from the people, and its integration into contemporary life allows it to return to the people in a new cultural form," remarked Liang Qiaoyan. She believes the event not only advocated for new civilized practices but also promoted traditional virtues.

During the event, many ICH inheritors expressed their commitment to combining the transmission of ICH culture with the promotion of civilized practices, enabling more citizens to experience the unique charm of ICH. This initiative will help spread concepts such as modernizing wedding customs and advocating for civilized thriftiness, enriching public awareness and fostering a spirit of civilization in every household.

The event was hosted by the Yantai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Yantai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the Yantai Bureau of Culture and Tourism, with support from the Yantai New Era Civilization Practice Center and media partners. It was organized by the Yantai New Era Civilization Practice Guidance Center, the Yantai Media Integration Center of the Qilu One Point app from Qilu Evening News, and co-organized by the Publicity Department of the Fushan District Committee, the Fushan District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the Menlou Street Working Committee and Office.