Hey there! Have you ever thought about what it would be like to bring ancient crafts back to life? Well, that’s exactly what young people in the Chinese mainland are doing! They’re using their creativity and the power of social media to make traditional arts super cool again. Let’s dive into this exciting world! 🚀
Meet Li Ziqi: The Internet Sensation 🌟
Li Ziqi is a young short-video creator who became famous for her amazing videos showcasing traditional Chinese crafts. After a four-year break, she returned on November 11, 2024, with new videos that wowed the world! In one video, she used a special craft called Chengdu lacquerware to renovate a wardrobe for her grandmother. Can you imagine learning an ancient art to make a gift for your grandma? So cool! 💝
Her video got over 100 million views in just five hours on a Chinese social media platform called Weibo. It also had over 10 million views on YouTube within two days! People everywhere were amazed by the beautiful art she shared. 🌐
Youth Power: Reviving Traditions 💪
Li Ziqi isn’t the only one. Many young people in the Chinese mainland are finding creative ways to bring intangible cultural heritage (that’s a fancy way of saying “really old and special traditions”) into everyday life. With apps like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), over 14 million users have shared their experiences with these crafts. That’s a lot of people! 😲
Some even mix traditional arts with internet memes and jokes. For example, combining the Bian Lian (face-changing) art of Sichuan Opera with funny online trends has become super popular. They’re showing that old arts can be fun and exciting! 😂
Bai Ziyi: Weaving the Old into the New 🧺
Meet Bai Ziyi, born in 1997. After studying overseas, she returned to her hometown in Sichuan province in 2020 to start her own business. She learned Daoming bamboo weaving from her father and decided to share it with the world. She creates beautiful bamboo brooches and accessories that young people love. Her designs even amaze tourists from other countries! 🛍️
Bai Ziyi also organizes events to teach others about these traditional crafts. She’s helping to make sure these special skills are not forgotten. How awesome is that? 🌟
Little Inheritors: Kids Keeping Traditions Alive 👧👦
At Jiaozi Primary School in Chengdu, students as young as you are becoming “little inheritors” of traditional crafts. They learn skills like Shu embroidery and Shu brocade, which are types of beautiful fabric arts. 🧵
The students even raise silkworms to see how silk is made! They watch the silkworms spin silk and make cocoons, understanding where the materials come from. Then, they create their own artwork using these traditional techniques. How cool is it to make your own silk artwork? 🐛🎨
They showcased their creations at the 9th International Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival in 2025. Teacher Deng Xiaobei says that learning these crafts helps students feel connected to their culture and history. 📚
A Wave of Culture and Creativity 🌊
With so many young people getting involved, these ancient crafts are becoming a vibrant part of modern life. They’re not just old traditions anymore; they’re cool hobbies and even careers! From making videos to designing trendy products, the youth of the Chinese mainland are breathing new life into their cultural heritage. 🌟
Who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to learn about traditional crafts in your own country. What ancient art would you like to bring back to life? Let your creativity shine! ✨
Reference(s):
How China's youth are writing a new chapter for ancient crafts
cgtn.com
