Cultural Keys was pleased to attend the warm up event for the first Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage at Pearl Club on the rooftop of the Pearl Market. At the event we were treated to delicious snacks, a Kunqu opera performance, and a stunning sunset over the neighbouring Temple of Heaven!
As the sun set over the Temple of Heaven, the event, hosted by Visit Beijing, China Travel Group and the Beijing Intangible Cultural Heritage Foundation, was attended by a variety of influencers and media organisations, who were introduced to the upcoming exhibition via a video presentation, Kunqu opera performance and a variety of intangible cultural heritage masters.
Amongst the craftspeople on hand to introduce their crafts were tea ceremony performers, shadow puppet makers, block printers and incense makers. One of the highlights was getting to meet Mr. Ha Yiqi, a fourth-generation kite maker, see his intricate and beautifully made kites, and hear his stories, which include making a kite 130 metres long representing every single athlete at the Beijing Olympics in 2008!
The Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage is being held to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Intangible Cultural Heritage can sound like a dry and boring term, but it just means knowledge and skills that are usually passed down orally and through experience (such as skills that are passed down through the generations of a family, or through apprenticeships). Another term for it is living heritage, which reflects the fact that when practitioners die, the knowledge and skills die with them.
The Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage features a free exhibition at the Agricultural Exhibition Center that runs from October 22nd-25th and sounds like a wonderful place to learn about, see and maybe even experience the arts and crafts of China, as well as many other countries!
Registration for event tickets hasn’t been opened yet, but once it is, this article will be updated with the registration details. Follow Cultural Keys on social media to be notified when tickets become available!
To see more photos and video from the event, head to our Instagram (@CulturalKeys)!
Would you like to learn more about China’s intangible cultural heritage? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear your thoughts and insights on traditional Chinese culture!
Photo Credits
– Cultural Keys
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Cultural Keys helps you access, understand and enjoy life in China through traditional Chinese culture. Click here to read more about Cultural Keys and what we can do for you, your school, company or group to help you get more out of your time in China!