The 5th Shanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage and Arts and Crafts Expo, along with the 9th China Shanxi National and Folk Arts and Crafts Expo and Cultural and Creative Products Exhibition, kicked off on Oct 24 at the Tsai Chih-Chung Art Museum in Gaoping, Jincheng, North China's Shanxi province.

The opening ceremony featured local performances such as Jiulian lantern, acrobatics, lion and dragon dances, and Jiangzhou drum music, showcasing the vibrant charm of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to visitors.

The 5th Shanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage and Arts and Crafts Expo in Gaoping kicks off on Oct 24. [Photo/Yellow River News]

The expo brings together national, provincial, and municipal arts and crafts masters, ICH practitioners, and cultural industry demonstration bases from 11 cities in Shanxi. Additionally, arts and crafts products from 17 provinces and cities, including Shaanxi, Henan, Sichuan, and Inner Mongolia, are exhibited.

The expo features five exhibition areas, including a themed exhibition area, a standard exhibition area, an ICH display area, a performance area, and an outdoor exhibition area, showcasing hundreds of varieties of arts and crafts such as ceramics, iron kettles, paper-cutting, black pottery, colored sculptures, and shadow puppets, totaling over 10,000 items.

A special exhibition titled "Beautiful Hometown, City Gifts" showcases cultural and creative products incorporating elements of Black Myth: Wukong, Shanxi ancient architecture, ICH, urban landmarks, and regional specialties, enticing many visitors to make purchases.

As a highlight of the 2024 China (Shanxi) Health Industry Development Conference, this expo will run until Oct 28, featuring various ICH exhibits from 18 provinces and cities nationwide. With its large scale and diverse themes, the expo is a high-end art event that integrates tradition and cultural creative craftsmanship.