"Genesis and Spirit: A Showcase of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Gansu" Exhibition was successfully unveiled in June 2015

From 5 to 21 June 2015 an exhibition entitled "Genesis and Spirit: A Showcase of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Gansu" was held in Hong Kong Central Library's Exhibition Gallery. The content-rich programme was based on the prolific intangible cultural heritage of Gansu. The exhibition, which included performances and experiential activities, gave visitors the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage and accomplishments of Gansu, as well as the collective wisdom of the different ethnic groups in the province, from different perspectives. The exhibition presented vibrant and colourful cultural gems of Chinese civilisation, allowing visitors from Hong Kong and beyond to immerse themselves in the legacy of Gansu and have a deeper understanding of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the province.

The exhibition had 46 components under four themes: "Exploitation of the Works of Nature", "The Beginning of Civilisation", "The Stylistic Silk Road" and "The Heritage of Gansu". Artists and craftsmen gave live demonstrations of some of the techniques on the National and Provincial representative lists of intangible cultural heritage. These included the production techniques of Tao Yan (inkstones); luminous goblet carving; Linxia brick carving; the embroidery and needlework of Qingyang fragrance pouches; the art of the suona; Qingyang paper cutting; Yurgur ethnic costumes; Snow Mountain Mongolian costumes; the Tibetan thangkas of Gannan; Lanzhou gourd carving; Longdong folk songs; the clay modelling techniques of Zhulan Zhai Village; Pingliang paper woven pictures and paper cutting, etc. Also on display were exhibits showing the rich regional cultural character of Gansu, including Tao Yan (inkstones), pottery, silk rug weaving, kiln cave construction skills, medicinal herbs, lacquers, embroidery works, ethnic costumes, weapons, etc.

In addition to the main exhibition, on 14 June 2015 officials from the Department of Culture of Gansu Province hosted a seminar entitled "Cultural Gansu" in Activity Room 1 at the Hong Kong Central Library to promote the cultural industry of Gansu. On 20 and 21 June 2015, Expert scholars from Gansu gave two talks, namely "A Carnival of Poetry and Songs – Delving into the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Gansu" and "The Cultural Traditions and Lives of the Dongxiang, Bao'an and Yugur Tribes", also at the Hong Kong Central Library in Activity Room 1.

The exhibition, seminar and talks were the highlights of the "Genesis and Spirit: A Showcase of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Gansu" programme, which was jointly presented by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Home Affairs Bureau of Hong Kong. The programme was organised by the Department of Culture of Gansu Province and Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department, with Hong Kong United Arts Cultural Exchange Centre Co. Ltd. a co-organiser.

We would like to give special thanks to Department of Culture of Gansu Province and the Linxiazhou Cultural Centre for providing part of the photos.