【Hi, Shandong】Chinese New Year at Your Fingertips: Dongying's Intangible Cultural Heritage Shines with a Spring Festival Paper-Cutting Show in Chuncheon, South Korea​

On February 13, the "Enjoy Chinese Festivals · Paper-Cutting for Spring Bliss" Dongying Spring Festival Folk Culture Exchange Event was held at the College of Humanities, Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, South Korea. Taking paper-cutting as a cultural bond, the event offered South Korean friends an immersive experience of the unique charm of Dongying's paper-cutting art and the rich festive atmosphere of the Chinese Spring Festival.

As a distinctive folk art form of the Chinese Spring Festival, paper-cutting carries the beautiful sentiments of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, as well as praying for blessings and good fortune. It is also an integral part of Dongying's unique folk culture. Hekou Paper-cutting, a representative item of Dongying's intangible cultural heritage, bears distinctive features of the Yellow River culture.

At the event, South Korean friends gained a detailed understanding of the cultural characteristics of Dongying paper-cutting. The paper-cutting experience session was particularly popular. Participants picked up scissors and red paper to try their hand at creating paper-cuts themselves, experienced the charm of Dongying's paper-cutting art, and felt the joyous atmosphere of the Chinese Spring Festival through the interactive experience at their fingertips.

South Korean friends experience paper-cutting creation

Photo by Li Hao

South Korean friends experience paper-cutting creation

Photo by Li Hao

In addition, a Dongying City Promotion Session was held during the event to introduce the city's landscape, cultural heritage, and distinctive resources to South Korean friends. Exhibits on display — including books related to The Art of War, Qi Writing Brush (Dongying's intangible cultural heritage creative products), and a hand-drawn panoramic map of Dongying — helped South Korean friends gain a clearer understanding of the city.

Group photo of South Korean friends

Photo by Li Hao

In 2026, Dongying will continue to hold a series of themed events titled "Enjoy Chinese Festivals" in South Korea, centered around traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.