Inheritors of intangible cultural heritage passing on expertise

Suzhou New District, with its rich history, cultural assets and natural endowments, has nurtured a plethora of timeless intangible cultural heritage and produced numerous exceptional inheritors and studios dedicated to preserving these traditions.

One such inheritor is Fan Yuming, deputy head of the committee on kesi art of the Suzhou Arts and Crafts Industry Association. In 2018, he founded a studio to produce fashionable, customized kesi products, aiming to bring the ancient art closer to contemporary life and advance its development.

Kesi art once faced challenges in terms of inheritance and market demand. Fan's studio has adopted a multitiered teaching approach and order-based production to advance both craft inheritance and local employment, opening up new avenues for nurturing skilled talents in rural areas.

Through training programs, the studio has educated more than 200 students, leading to the direct employment of 32 local residents, transforming idle rural labor into cultural productivity.

As an active innovator, the studio has introduced more than 200 practical products, including fans, handbags and decorative screens.

In collaboration with the China Embroidery Art Museum, the studio has introduced a cultural heritage-themed tour, drawing in over 500 students and parents keen on exploring the art of silk.

Furthermore, the studio has leveraged the power of the internet by livestreaming kesi-making sessions, amassing more than 1 million cumulative views online.

Suzhou New District also boasts rich heritage in making qipao, the traditional Chinese dress for women. Jin Yi, a district-level intangible heritage inheritor who specializes in crafting handmade qipao, was honored with a spot on the 2024 Forbes China list of influencers in business administration.

Native to the district, Jin's passion for traditional culture dates back to his childhood. After graduating from university in 2007, he delved into studying and practicing traditional clothing craftsmanship. In 2023, his handmade qipao brand, Wanxiaoli, was recognized as a business asset under city-level protection.

As a qipao enthusiast, Jin has amassed a collection of more than 600 antique qipao from the Republic of China period (1912-49). Over the years, he has meticulously studied and analyzed their craftsmanship. Building on traditional qipao-making techniques, he has infused modern fashion design concepts and methods into his creations.

In recent times, Jin has not only revitalized traditional qipao-making techniques but also experimented with local intangible cultural heritage fabrics such as the yunjin brocade and the songjin brocade to breathe new life into the traditional dress.

Moreover, he conducts public lectures and offers experiential courses in communities and schools, imparting knowledge on the history of traditional qipao and on how to properly select and wear the traditional dress.

Jin's accomplishments not only underscore his personal dedication to heritage preservation but shine a light on the vibrant environment for reinventing intangible cultural heritage in Suzhou New District.

Also among the distinguished artisans in the district are jade-carving master Yu Ting, traditional construction expert Xue Dong, wood-carving artisan Han Jianxian and Suzhou embroidery master Xue Jindi. All of them were recognized in the 2024 Forbes China list of the top 100 outstanding craftspeople.

The intangible cultural heritage masters in Suzhou New District are passing down their skills while blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary creativity. Their unique creations breathe vitality into traditional crafts, showcasing the district's rich history and the profound wisdom of its people.