Participants in the ceramics decoration techniques training program are pictured at Yunnan University, Nov 19. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Yunnan University (YNU) held a ceremony to initiate a ceramics decoration training program, with the aim of promoting the decoration techniques used to make the traditional purple potteries of Jianshui county, as well as traditional ceramics across Yunnan province, on Nov 19. 

It is the first time that YNU has held a national-level training program to promote intangible cultural heritage. The program involved 50 participants from different cities and regions in Yunnan, with 13 of them from ethnic minority groups. 

Li Jianing, curator of the National Art Museum of China; Du Wenhui, director of the intangible cultural heritage department at Yunnan Department of Culture and Tourism; Zhang Lei, director of the center for preservation of intangible cultural heritage in Jianshui county; Ma Zhiyu, publicity department at YNU; Li Yan, dean of the Institute for Cultural Development at YNU; Zhang Xing, Party secretary of the School of Art and Design at YNU; Wang Weidong, executive vice-dean of the School of Art and Design; Wu Baiyu, director of the training program, as well as teachers and students from YNU’s School of Art and Design, attended the opening ceremony. 

Du Wenhui delivered a speech at the ceremony in which he highlighted the significance of preserving the knowledge required to produce traditional handicrafts. He went on to make clear his expectations for the participants, stating that they should master and promote intangible cultural techniques. 

In Zhang Xing’s remarks, he mentioned the importance of cultural prosperity in reviving the nation. 

On behalf of the local cultural authority in Jianshui county, Zhang Lei expressed his thanks for the support offered by Yunnan Department of Culture and Tourism and YNU for the promotion and preservation of intangible culture in Jianshui. 

He said that participants in the program should be self-disciplined and finish the training courses. 

In recent years, YNU has paid great attention to developing Yunnan province by promoting local culture. It was recently listed as one of the 55 universities across the country designated as a base for passing on traditional Chinese culture.

Yunnan University holds a ceremony to initiate a ceramics decoration training program at YNU, Nov 19. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]