Chongqing Banan inviting international friends to experience intangible cultural heritage projects

Drunkenness, a Mudong Folk Song show [Photo by Chen Xin]

Alexander (middle) showed the Zongzi he made [Photo by Chen Xin]

Yan Jingan was learning Jiang Family Dragon Dance [Photo by Chen Xin]

Recently, the theme activity of Experiencing Banan Intangible Cultural Heritage was held in Banan District, Chongqing City. International visitors from Sichuan International Studies University and Chongqing Jiaotong University were invited to learn about and experience the intangible cultural heritage projects in Banan.

During the activity, the performances of Banan intangible cultural heritage skills were warmly welcomed by international friends, and many of them even started to learn these skills from the inheritors at the performance venue. Yan Jingan, a Polish teacher from Sichuan International Studies University said that the most impressive show to him is a Mudong Folk Song show, Drunkenness. "The costumes and performance form of the performers have shown the features of Banan culture. Such kind of performance can easily inspire audience's sense of participation. I myself, even sang with the actors during the show," said Yan.

In the teaching experience session, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage introduced the history of Jiang Family Dragon Dance to Yan. Yan listened to the inheritor while learning the dragon dance at the same time. After completing a set of dance, Yan has received deeper understanding of the intangible cultural heritage in Banan. "It's not hard to tell that some of the actions in the dance cannot be acquired in one day. From the dragon dance, I think I can feel Banan people's ceaseless pursuit for better life," said Yan.

Apart from experiencing intangible cultural heritage projects, international friends have also participated in the contest of making Zongzi. Alexander, a Togolese student made 33 Zongzi within five minutes. Alexander said that the warm-hearted and tolerant characteristics deeply impressed him, and raised his interest to learn more about Banan's history and culture.