As part of the “Nihao! China” Dragon Boat Festival Garden Party and the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations series of events hosted by China Cultural Center in Stockholm, intangible cultural heritage inheritors and folk artists from Shaanxi Province visited Sweden. Through Ansai paper-cutting demonstrations, northern Shaanxi folk songs, suona performances and cultural tourism presentations, they offered local audiences a unique cultural experience showcasing the rich traditions of the Loess Plateau.
As one of the highlights of the event, the Shaanxi cultural exhibition was presented at Kungsträdgården in central Stockholm. The nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage of Ansai paper-cutting attracted many visitors to stop, watch and take part in the experience. Chen Lianlian, Master of Arts and Crafts of Shaanxi Province and a national representative inheritor of Ansai folk painting, demonstrated her exquisite paper-cutting skills on site. Under her guidance, many local children and parents created their own paper-cut artworks, experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese folk art firsthand.
Cultural tourism promotion was also carried out during the event. From the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city wall of Xi’an to the Grand Tang Dynasty Everbright City and the cultural heritage of the Silk Road, Shaanxi’s rich historical and cultural resources attracted considerable interest. Many visitors expressed their hope of travelling to Shaanxi and exploring China in the future.
During the cultural exchange performances at Vasa Theatre in Stockholm and Kronhuset in Gothenburg, the program Songs from Northern Shaanxi captivated audiences. Zhang Minghu, provincial representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage Suimi Suona, and Qu Wangwang, an inheritor of northern Shaanxi folk songs and one of the region’s “Top Ten Folk Singers,” brought the spirit of northern Shaanxi to life through the powerful sound of the suona and heartfelt folk singing, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Through a diverse range of cultural presentations, the Shaanxi delegation offered Swedish audiences a closer look at the province’s unique cultural heritage and local traditions, further enhancing their understanding of Shaanxi’s rich history, vibrant culture and tourism resources.
Photographer: Wei Xuechao
Photos: Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture & Tourism (in part)
