Xue Qihua, an inheritor of the Malu bamboo weaving teaches students techniques of bamboo weaving at the Jiayuanhai Art Center in Malu town, Jiading district of Shanghai. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn] |
With a view to promote the inheritance and preservation of traditional handicraft, a training course on Malu bamboo weaving recently kicked off at the Jiayuanhai Art Center in Malu town, Jiading district of Shanghai, local media reported on March 7.
Sponsors of this event are Malu culture and sports center, Zhongfang community, and Yiyuan Handicraft Inheritance Center.
The Malu bamboo weaving originated from the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911), and has been listed as Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage in 2007.
It has more than ten complicated procedures and requires lots of patience.
Xue Qihua, an inheritor of the Malu bamboo weaving is the teacher of the course. Xue is 72 years old and boasts exquisite and excellent weaving techniques. He is pleased to have this opportunity to teach other people skills of weaving bamboo, because he fears that this technique fails to be handed down.
At present, there are five students attending the course, with one saying that she loves bamboo weaving and has the confidence to carry forward it.
The Yiyuan Handicraft Inheritance Center is committed to promoting the preservation and innovation of traditional Chinese art. Fu Yongkang, head of the center, said that it will work together with the Shanghai Art and Design Academy on innovative designs of the weaving works, bringing new vitality to the craft.
The Malu culture and sports center also said that it will do more to arouse local residents' interests in the art.