Ceramic artwork promoted among university students

An exhibition and seminar on the Cizhou Kiln were held at Renmin University of China on Wednesday to popularize the traditional artwork among students.

It was staged jointly by the university and the China Culture Relics Protection Foundation, together with Fengfeng district, part of Handan city, Hebei province where the Cizhou Kiln was located. About 100 pieces of ceramic artwork were on show.

Zhang Yuefeng, Party chief of Fengfeng district, said the traditional art was taken to the campus in the hope that cooperation with universities would help make it more popular worldwide.

"Higher education institutions can provide us with the intelligence, science and technology and even funds to combine traditional culture with academic research as well as related industries," Zhang said.

Cizhou Kiln, dating from the Song Dynasty (AD920-1279), was the largest folk kiln system in Northern China. Products were exported to East, Southeast and West Asia via the Silk Road.

More than 40 historical sites and 100-plus historical relics of the kiln can still be found in Fengfeng district together with hundreds of enterprises and workshops that produce ceramics, Zhang said.

The products are sold to more than 70 countries and regions including some in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, he added.

Zha Xianyou, vice president of Renmin University, said teachers and students will benefit from the event.

"Teachers and students have an opportunity to have a closer look at the Cizhou Kiln, a representative of our traditional culture," Zha said.

"These events are a good attempt to combine traditional culture with campus culture, contributing to the cultural and aesthetic education of young people".