On June 1, the third French Dragon Boat Carnival, themed "Dragon Boat Racing · Heritage Coexistence," was successfully held in the suburbs of Paris. Liu Xiaying, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Jinyun paper-cutting and a renowned rural artisan, was invited to participate in the event with French friends. She brought Jinyun paper-cutting to Europe, allowing the French audience to explore the spiritual essence of Huangdi culture through the intricate art of layered paper designs, helping promote Huangdi culture globally.
Recently, the provincial intangible cultural heritage—Jinyun paper-cutting—captivated audiences at the third French Dragon Boat Carnival in Paris, attracting nearly 10,000 spectators along the Seine. Through the rhythmic motion of scissors, they immersed themselves in the unique charm of Huangdi culture.
Scissors Carve the Code to Huangdi's Cultural DNA
On the day of the event, 10 teams from China and France competed fiercely in the dragon boat races, paddling with passion and determination, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Meanwhile, the intangible cultural heritage market outside the venue became a "mobile exhibition hall" for cultural exchange. Jinyun paper-cutting, with its unique scissor-carved language, decoded the genetic essence of Huangdi culture.
As a provincial-level inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage, Liu Xiaying demonstrated her paper-cutting skills at the event, engaging in face-to-face interactions with overseas Chinese and French friends. Her artistry allowed them to experience the magical charm of Jinyun paper-cutting up close.
Liu Xiaying's Paper-Cutting Artwork:"Huangdi of Jinyun - A Fairyland on Earth"
Her multi-layered paper-cutting artwork *"Huangdi of Jinyun - A Fairyland on Earth"* is a masterpiece of ingenuity. Using seven differently colored sheets of paper individually cut and layered from light to dark, it creates a striking depth effect, vividly capturing the majestic beauty of Dinghu Peak. As viewers peer through the overlapping layers, they discover a spatial progression from "an old herdsman with cattle" to "stepping-stone bridges" and finally to "Dinghu Peak"—each layer serving as an archaeological translation of Huangdi culture. This innovative piece left international guests in awe, exclaiming, "We never imagined paper-cutting could be so vibrant!"
Another specially created piece for the event, *"Dragon Boat Race,"* freezes the intense competition in mid-motion through exquisite hollow-out techniques, immersing viewers as if they were witnessing the race firsthand.
Artistic Interpretation of Huangdi's Cultural Essence
On June 2nd, at the "Special Showcase of Intangible Heritage Arts: The Encounter of Paper-Cutting and Ink Painting" event held at the Confucius Institute in Paris's 13th arrondissement, Liu Xiaying's masterpiece *"Virtue Enlightens All Lands: Ascending on a Dragon"* became the focal point of attention. This work traces millennia of cultural heritage, vividly interpreting the fusion of Huangdi culture with Chinese aesthetics, eloquently conveying the spiritual essence of Huangdi's legacy.
At the center of the composition, Huangdi achieves alchemical mastery at Dinghu Peak in Jinyun's celestial realm, ascending to the heavens astride a golden dragon amid auspicious clouds—his flowing robes exuding divine majesty. The backdrop intricately captures Dinghu Peak's rugged grandeur with delicate lines, embodying the harmony between heaven and earth. The lower right depicts a solemn ceremonial scene, where traditionally dressed devotees pay homage, authentically recreating the supreme reverence of Xuanyuan Huangdi worship rituals.
Masterfully blending paper-cutting's signature interplay of void and substance, strength and grace, the artwork unifies Huangdi's ethos of "harmonizing all nations," the ritual's sacred solemnity, and the auspicious elegance of lotus-peony motifs. It serves both as tribute to the cultural progenitor's achievements and as an expression of Chinese descendants' aspirations to perpetuate civilization and usher in prosperity.
This highly distinctive representation of Huangdi culture captivated numerous attendees, with French Tokyo Paralympic canoeing gold medalist Martin Farineau frequently raising his phone to photograph the exquisite details.
Intangible Heritage Serves as a "Living Vessel" for Cultural Globalization
From Jinyun to Paris: Scissors Carving a Bridge Across Cultures.The warmth of Jinyun's paper-cutting blades has transcended cultural boundaries. When the layered shadows of *"Virtue Enlightens All Lands: Ascending on a Dragon"* danced across the Confucius Institute's windows, and when French children carefully held up the seven-colored sheets of *"Huangdi of Jinyun – A Fairyland on Earth,"* these heritage artworks ceased to be static crafts. Instead, they became "cultural ambassadors" narrating Huangdi's legacy—living vessels carrying forward the essence of Huangdi culture.
This journey of Jinyun paper-cutting to France not only garnered international attention and sparked a new wave of cross-border fascination with the craft but also, through its global dialogue, offered invaluable insights into integrating traditional artistry into modern civilization. It stands as a vibrant case study for the global dissemination of Huangdi culture.
Where the blade marks of Jinyun paper-cutting meet the shimmering ripples of the Seine, and where the spiritual depth and aesthetic grandeur of Huangdi culture blossom on Parisian streets—a pair of scissors and a few sheets of colored paper have woven an enduring bridge between Huangdi's legacy and the world. (Authored by: Jinyun County Huangdi Culture Development Center, Xu Xiaoxiao)
City:Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province
Company Name: Jinyun County Huangdi Culture Development Center
Website: www.parkwaychina.com
Telephone: (0578) 301 6252
Contact:Office of Huangdi Culture Development Cente
Email Address:[email protected]
Website of Source: https://www.parkwaychina.com/
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 1583426