From September 19th to 21st, the "Foreign Internet Celebrities Exploring Shanwei" short video collection and exchange event took place in Shanwei, attracting eight internet influencers from countries including Russia, India, Egypt, South Korea, Bangladesh, Australia, and Poland. They were immersed in China's intangible cultural heritage, using short videos to share their unique experiences in Shanwei with the world.
The influencers are deeply fascinated by the adorable and colorful qilin head handicraft.
Enjoying opera and lei cha to the full
As a melting pot of diverse cultures such as Cantonese, Hakka, and Chaoshan cultures, Shanwei boasts nine national-level, 30 provincial-level, and 75 municipal-level intangible cultural heritage items, earning it the reputation of "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art."
The influencers watch performances of intangible cultural heritage.
During the event, the foreign influencers enjoyed the local snacks while watching performances of intangible cultural heritage, including fisherman's songs, Baizi Opera, and Zhengzi Opera, which elicited rounds of applause. But watching wasn't enough; they put on various costumes, took photos, and recorded videos, showcasing the profoundness of opera culture to their overseas followers.
An influencer poses for photos with a lady dressed in Hanfu.
"The steps to put on this costume are a bit complicated, but don't you think it's pretty?" Jin Minshui from South Korea, dressed in a Baizi Opera costume, shared her experience with her fans, enjoying the opera to the fullest.
Tea drinking is a natural accompaniment to opera watching, and Shanwei's lei cha (pounded tea) is the perfect match. As the interpreter demonstrated the process of making lei cha, the influencers sat around tables, learning to grind the ingredients slowly with a pestle and enjoying the fruits of their labor.
After the performances, the influencers pose for photos with the actors.
Pottery and Chinese shadow puppetry showcase artistic flair
At Chen Xuncheng Art Gallery, Scott Tildesley, an Australian blogger, couldn't help but hum "Blue and White Porcelain" by Jay Chou upon seeing the exquisite ceramic artworks. "I didn't expect such exquisite ceramic art to be hidden in the countryside," he exclaimed.
The influencers experience lei cha under the guidance of the interpreter.
The gallery also offered ceramic-making experiences and the influencers learned the process of throwing clay under the patient guidance of potters. "It seems simple, but it actually requires a lot of skill," said @Ali, a Russian blogger, after experiencing it in Shenzhen.
The influencers experience lei cha.
In recent years, Lian'an Town has vigorously developed industries for prosperity, improved the living environment, and accelerated the construction of venues such as cultural squares, art museums, sculpture galleries, folk culture museums, and cultural exhibition halls.
At the Hailufeng intangible cultural heritage experience room within the cultural exhibition hall, the influencers were captivated by the adorable and colorful Qilin heads handicrafts. "The production of Shanwei Qilin primarily uses bamboo strips and paper. First, a lion head shape is formed with bamboo strips, covered with paper, and then pig bristles, horse bristles, or plant fibers are glued on to create the eyes, ears, and mouth. After drying in the air, colors are applied, and finally, gloss oil is applied for shaping," explained the interpreter. The influencers recorded the process with their cameras, allowing more people to appreciate the traditional colorful paper binding craft behind Qilin dance.
In the Chinese shadow puppetry experience area, they not only learned about the development of Lufeng shadow puppetry but also tried their hand at manipulating the puppets, experiencing the magic and joy of shadow puppetry at close quarters. This comprehensive art form, which integrates painting, sculpting, production, performance, music, and stagecraft, has fascinated every visitor. Maco, a Saudi Arabian blogger with millions of followers on TikTok, couldn't help but exclaim, "China not only has the reputation as the world's factory but also has such a rich culture!"
Reporter | Chen Xinxin
Photo & video | Chen Xinxin
Editor | Liao Ying, Ge Yuting, Monica, James
