Inheritors of intangible cultural heritage projects shared Chinese lifestyle aesthetics.

On April 3, Rong Bao Zhai Guangzhou held an international exchange event titled "Flower Festival Elegant Gathering" to share traditional Chinese culture. The event featured various traditional elegant activities such as flower arrangement, incense burning, tea whisking, and painting appreciation, seamlessly integrating traditional culture into daily life. Consular officials and their families from 16 countries stationed in Guangzhou attended the event, experiencing the beauty of Chinese traditional arts and intangible cultural heritage up close.

During the event, several inheritors of intangible cultural heritage projects shared their insights into Chinese lifestyle aesthetics. Sun Ke, an inheritor of traditional floral arrangement, introduced the artistic essence of Chinese flower arrangement to the guests.

The Consul General of Peru in Guangzhou, Ruben Espinoza, attentively scrutinized the demonstrations and said, "The inheritor Sun introduced us to the various steps of flower arrangement and presented exquisitely decorated vases. The intricate fingertip craftsmanship is truly remarkable." He was enthralled by the allure of Chinese festive customs and looked forward to engaging in activities promoting Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

The Consul General of Zambia in Guangzhou, Daniel Chisenga, praised the exquisite stationery and books displayed at the event, all printed using a unique technique called Rong Bao Zhai woodblock watermark that is considered a national-level intangible cultural heritage method. He also tried his hand at creating traditional Chinese painting patterns, such as pandas, using colors like vermilion and indigo.

Muhammad Irfan, the Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan in Guangzhou, together with his wife and children, also experienced the art of woodblock watermark. He said that this skill provided people with an insight into Chinese painting and the traditional culture it represents.

During the gathering, the "Sculpting Textile - Xiangyunsha Spring-Summer Fashion Show", organized by Rong Bao Zhai and Rechenberg Studio, kicked off in the gallery, where models showcased modern clothing made from Xiangyunsha fabric that blended traditional culture with contemporary fashion.

Xiangyunsha, also known as gambiered Guangdong gauze and produced in Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, is the only silk fabric in the world dyed with pure plant-based dyes, earning it the epithet "soft gold" in the textile industry. Xiangyunsha and its dyeing and finishing techniques are classified as national-level intangible cultural heritage.

"As a cultural carrier, Xiangyunsha can blend seamlessly into modern environments. It is comfortable and healthy to wear, and can be made into beautiful and contemporary clothing. Today, whether in the East or the West, natural and eco-friendly materials have emerged as important criteria for clothing choices, and Xiangyunsha boasts advantages in this aspect." Kathrin von Rechenberg, a German fashion designer, still vividly recalls, "When I came to China 20 years ago, I fell in love with Chinese fabric materials. It was because of Xiangyunsha that I developed an affection for China and decided to stay here."

In recent years, Rong Bao Zhai, a century-old artwork store, has actively integrated itself into the cultural development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It has held numerous cultural exchange activities in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, where audiences from home and abroad can gain insights into Chinese traditional culture and appreciate its ancient charm, uniqueness, and elegance through various exhibitions and experiential programs.