Inheritance of joy and centuries-old craft
Updated: 2016-02-23 07:49
By Liu Xiangrui(China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
Guo shows one of the traditional New Year pictures. [Photo by Liu Xiangrui/China Daily] |
The 91-year-old man has witnessed both the glorious days and the challenges faced in the modern times by the prints that once defined the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Starting in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), making and putting up such handmade pictures used to be an essential part of the Spring Festival celebrations. But with rapid changes in China in the past few decades, the tradition had gradually faded until recent attempts were made to revive it. It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2007.
Chinese tech giant Alibaba recently launched a crowdfunding project to help people inherit and promote such old crafts. Through it, craftsmen like Guo create works based on new designs, incorporating popular elements. When photos of the Spring Festival prints were uploaded online in January, they drew huge public interest.
So far, funds for woodblock printing have surpassed 50,000 yuan ($7,700). And the sponsors get benefits according to the donations they make, including pictures by Guo.
"I am so glad that it is catching public attention again," Guo says of the woodblock printing that is a cultural signature of Kaifeng, a city in Central China's Henan province.
Born to a poor family, Guo, who didn't go to school, joined a shop in Kaifeng that sold the prints as an apprentice at age 13, after his father died.
"I didn't starve and expected to make a living from it later," he says.
Related Stories
Rare Romanian artifacts on show at Beijing museum 2016-02-02 08:16
Palace Museum clock repairman keeps history in time 2016-02-02 07:35
China to restore architecture along century-old railway 2016-02-01 14:10
Exhibition of Wu and Yue States opens in Xi'an 2016-01-29 16:34
Today's Top News
London mayor says to support Brexit in EU referendum
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
UK to hold EU referendum on June 23
US saber-rattling could spark arms buildup: experts
Balkan, Austria police agree to register refugees
Turkey blames Kurds, Syria for attack
Stronger united Europe is 'in the interests of China'
Huawei to increase co-op with European partners
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Beijing theme park adds flavor to the Year of the Monkey |
China's role in Africa is 'exaggerated' |
Toward continuing 'entente cordiale' |
Famous rebel with the golden gaze |
Jack magic |
Artist shares Peony's secrets |