Reported by Lin Ying

Fuzhou, July 21 (People’s Daily) -- The extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee is being held in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province. This special session is the first to take the form of online deliberation of world heritage properties. Offline in Fuzhou, dozens of themed cultural activities such as painting, calligraphy and photography exhibitions, intangible cultural heritage techniques presentations, etc., show the world the historical and cultural heritage of this ancient city.

In the special exhibition themed “The Light of Ancient Houses-Fujian Fine Arts”, there are 117 exhibited artworks outlining the charm of the ancient houses of Fujian including oil paintings, watercolor paintings, ink paintings, magnificent ten-meter scrolls, exquisite and lively sketches, gorgeous and vivid realistic oil paintings and charming landscape paintings, etc.. The calligraphy and painting works of three generations of famous landscape painting artists in Fujian Province fully display the various styles and features of the ancient houses in Fujian. Their collection embrace the legacies of the Tang and Song dynasties in the ancient city of Quanzhou, the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, the beautiful arcade-style buildings in Zhangzhou, where Nanyang culture and Southern Fujian culture are integrated, and the majestic and graceful town of Tingzhou.

In Fujian province’s Revolutionary History Museum, 100 pieces (sets) of representative Shoushan stone carvings are exhibited, consisting of “Red Boat Spirit”, “New Found Charm in Ancient Houses”, “The Belt and Road Initiative”, from varied historical periods since 1921. These carvings are made by famous sculptors, with styles ranging from majestic to simple, from exquisite to unrestrained, showcasing the charm of intangible heritage techniques and ingenuity of the inheritors. 

At the “Fujian Lacquer Charm” Lacquer Art Inheritance Exhibition held on July 20, over 200 pieces (sets) of works by more than 100 great masters of art, technical experts, and intangible heritage inheritor from Fujian Province attracted the attention of a great number of locals and tourists. High-quality exhibits include Fuzhou bodiless lacquer, carved lacquerware, Xiamen lacquer thread sculptures, Zhangzhou lacquer furniture and Yongchun lacquer basket.

In the Zeng’s Ancestral Hall in Shangxiahang, the ancient condensation incense-making technique is appreciated in a lively atmosphere, allowing children to experience the charm of traditional craftsmanship.

The colors of World Blue, China Red, and Fujian Green alternate before you. The 89 heritage site pictures and 55 hand-picked photos of China’s world heritage sites allow visitors to take a close look at the scroll of world cultural and natural heritage. This is the picture presented to the public by the theme exhibition of the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee. Ms. He, a citizen of Fuzhou, came to visit with her 7-year-old daughter. The little girl excitedly signed her name on the signature wall of the session. Ms. He said that the exhibition helped her daughter understand the cultural heritage fully at their doorstep, gain insights and arouse interest in the cultural assets.