A Chaozhou intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship exhibition opened on November 28 at the Chaozhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, running concurrently with the 23rd Teochew International Convention.
This grand exhibition brings together over 1,000 selected masterpieces from Chaozhou, Shantou, Jieyang, and Meizhou, showcasing the inheritance and innovation of over 30 categories of intangible cultural heritage crafts, including Chaoshan embroidery, ceramics, jade carving, and wood carving, created by nearly 200 national, provincial, and municipal masters.
The Jieyang exhibition area emerged as a major crowd-puller, captivating numerous overseas Chinese visitors with its stunning display of jade artistry.
Leveraging the nationally recognized Yangmei Jade Carving heritage, Jieyang, renowned as "China's Jade Capital," has developed major jade processing and trade centers in Yangmei and Qiaonan villages. The exhibition featured exquisite jade carvings that exemplified the renowned reputation of "Myanmar Jade, Jieyang Craftsmanship."
"I'm originally from Jieyang, famous for its jade carvings. Seeing these beautiful pieces from my hometown here fills me with a sense of familiarity and pride," said Lin Kaifeng, Honorary President of the Cambodian Chiu Chow Overseas Friendship Association.
He noted the rapid development he has witnessed during his frequent travels between Cambodia and the Chaoshan region. "I believe this conference marks a new starting point for greater development in our homeland, and I am actively exploring investment opportunities in Jieyang, Chaozhou, and Shantou."
Zheng Shaoshan, a Jieyang craft master, was on hand to demonstrate and explain the intricacies of jade culture. His micro-carved works were a testament to this fusion, featuring landscapes and pavilions on one side of a jade plaque with the entire "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection" on the reverse, or the Heart Sutra meticulously inscribed inside a jade bracelet.
"We've had tremendous interest and many inquiries since opening. We welcome Teochew friends from around the world to visit Jieyang and appreciate our fine jade," Zheng remarked.
Another highlight was the display of "Jieyang dough figurine," a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage. A creative installation depicted five themes – local coming-of-age ceremonies ("Chu Huayuan"), specialty foods, Gongfu tea, intangible heritage, and Chaozhou opera – beneath miniature traditional roof decorations. A particularly popular piece was the dough sculpture group "Yingge · Chinese War Dance," which portrayed characters from the famed Puning Nanshan Yingge Dance as charming, stylized figures.
"These crafts are incredibly refined and fascinating," said Qiu Suna, an attendee from the Zhanjiang chapter, who took numerous photos to capture the details.
The exhibition is open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to experience the pinnacle of Chaoshan craftsmanship.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
