Ninth edition of "Genesis and Spirit" exhibition and demonstration series opens and showcases highlights of Jiangxi ICH (with photos)
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Addressing the opening ceremony today (June 13), the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, said that the "Genesis and Spirit" exhibition and demonstration series has reached its ninth edition and has consistently been a key collaboration project for the preservation of ICH in the country and Hong Kong. Jiangxi Province and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have close ties in terms of geographical proximity and social interactions with deep historical connections and shared a cultural foundation. The Hakka community is characterised by its simplicity and warmth, drawing from nature to nurture world ICH such as Gannan Hakka Pounded Tea Making Technique. Through exploration of nature and dedicated craftsmanship, they also inherited national ICH such as Gannan Hakka Clothes. This exhibition provides a chance for Hong Kong people to understand and experience Jiangxi's Hakka culture and traditional craftsmanship, and resonate with the shared heritage and common roots of Jiangxi and Hong Kong.
Other officiating guests included the Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Zhang Dong; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Shuguang; member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Mayor of the Ganzhou Municipal People's Government, Jiangxi, Mr Zou Zhiyu; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak; member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Ganzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media and Tourism, Jiangxi, Ms Xia Hanhan; the Deputy Director of the Xiangdong Culture, Media and Tourism Bureau of the Pingxiang Municipality, Mr Chen Shugang; and the Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO), Ms Judith Ng.
The exhibition is divided into four sections, including "Elegance of Hakka Culture", introducing traditional techniques integrated into Hakka everyday lives; "Heavenly Creations", displaying crafts with unique artistic styles; "Fragrant Tea of Jiangxi", which showcases traditional Chinese tea making techniques inscribed onto UNESCO’s Representative List of the ICH of Humanity; as well as "Scent of Calligraphy and Ink", with traditional skills of making "The Four Treasures of the Study".
Visitors can also appreciate three world ICH items in Jiangxi at a glance, namely Wuyuan Green Tea Making Technique, Ning Black Tea Making Technique and Gannan Hakka Pounded Tea Making Technique, as well as 10 representative items of the national ICH, including Shicheng Lantern Festival, Gannan Hakka Clothes, Pingxiang Xiangdong Nuo Masks, Jingdezhen Porcelain Making Technique, Ruichang Bamboo Weaving, Ramie Embroidery, Jialu Paper Umbrella Making Technique, Yanshan Liansi Paper Making Technique, Wengang Chinese Brush Making Technique and Shicheng Inkstone Making Technique.
Over 100 sessions of performances, demonstrations, talks and interactive experiential activities during the exhibition period will be organised. Nearly 70 representative bearers of ICH and performers from Jiangxi, including Representative Bearers of the National ICH, National Class One Performer and renowned art groups will give demonstrations of various craftsmanship on-site. Members of the public can also participate in experiential activities including Longnan Hakka Patterned Band Weaving Technique, Gannan Hakka Paper Cutting, Hakka Bamboo Carving Technique in Zhanggong District.
It is also the first time that the exhibition will extend beyond the exhibition venue to the community and schools through mobile displays and experiential activities, to enable the public and students to experience the profound Hakka culture in depth.
The exhibition is supported by the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, organised by the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, curated by the Ganzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media and Tourism, the Pingxiang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media and Tourism and the ICHO.
This exhibition is one of the programmes of Hong Kong ICH Month 2025, Chinese Culture Festival 2025 and the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. For more details, please visit the ICHO's website at www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/genesis_and_spirit_2025.html.
Ends/Friday, June 13, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:20
Issued at HKT 20:20
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