The fourth Chinese Paper-Cut Art Festival (the third Yuzhou International Paper-Cut Art Festival) will be held from July 8 to 10 in Yuxian county in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province.
The main goal of the Paper-Cut Art Festival is to further expand the popularity of paper-cuts, which is a valuable traditional Chinese cultural heritage.
In 2009, Chinese paper-cut was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Paper-cuts are mainly used as decorations and patterns for religious and ornamental purposes. Paper-cuts can also be used as ornaments on gates, windows, walls, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns. They are still widely used today at important festivals, especially during New Year's.
Yuxian county paper-cut has a history of more than 200 years. The paper-cut is dyed and therefore more colorful. It features opera figures, legendary stories, harvests, auspicious animals, and themes of happiness and longevity.
The festival will also be a platform of communication for paper-cut artists domestically and abroad. The festival will showcase the main achievements in this field. Works of domestic and foreign artists will be displayed during the festival. In addition, the festival will promote the snacks of Yuxian county.
Zhao Hongge, deputy county head of Yuxian, said that the festival will encourage participation, tourism, marketing, innovation and folk culture. According to Zhao, the paper-cut festival will be a great opportunity to promote Yuxian tourism. The festival will boost the tourism industry of the local area.
One of the themes of the festival this year is to connect paper-cuts to the market. The market, instead of the government, should play a more important role in the development of this traditional art form.
The innovation of paper-art is encouraged in this festival. Chinese artists will have opportunities to communicate with international artists to innovate traditional paper-cuts. The folk culture will also be introduced during the festival to tourists from all over the world. |
