Intangible Cultural Heritage Connects Hearts Across Internet-Suzhou Polytechnic University Has Organized a Series of Online Lectures on Intangible Cultural Heritage for Teachers and Students of the Sino-Pakistan Zheng He Institute
Recently, the "Online Intangible Cultural Heritage Lecture Series" led by the International Cooperation and Exchange Office of SPU came to a successful conclusion. The event spanned several months, with themes including Suzhou embroidery, glazed ceramics, and rubbing techniques, which built a cultural bridge for teachers and students of the China-Pakistan Zhenghe College (Islamabad). Pakistani students gathered with our teachers and students via the internet, immersing themselves in the splendid charm of Chinese excellent traditional culture under the careful guidance of intangible cultural heritage inheritors, deepening the friendship and cultural identity between young people of China and Pakistan.
As the inaugural event of the series, the Suzhou embroidery experience activity on August 10th featured a special lecture given by Professor Tang Xiaohong, a representative inheritor of Suzhou embroidery. Tang Xiaohong began by tracing the historical development of Suzhou embroidery, systematically explaining the evolution of this ancient craft from its origins and prosperity to contemporary innovations. Through the appreciation of classic works and the breakdown of core techniques, she visually presented the artistic essence of "using needles as pens and threads as ink" on the screen. She personally demonstrated basic techniques such as thread splitting and rolling, while Pakistani students practiced synchronously online, completing their own creations on Suzhou embroidery fans, truly experiencing the craftsmanship and warmth of traditional skills.
During the National Day holiday, the lecture was held with the theme of "Glaze and Silk Road - The Spirit of Bamboo in Chinese Ceramic Art". Special guest Chen Yiming, a ceramic art expert from Suzhou, was invited to give the lecture. Chen Yiming traced the millennium development of Chinese ceramics from primitive celadon to colored porcelain along the timeline, emphasizing the cultural value of ceramics as a material carrier of Chinese civilization. The lecture focused on the "overglaze color" technique, dissecting in detail the key steps of design, line drawing, and color filling, and deeply interpreting the gentlemanly qualities symbolized by "bamboo", such as perseverance and modesty, as well as the traditional aesthetic concept of "unity between heaven and man" behind it. Pakistani students followed the learning process intently through high-definition pictures and video demonstrations, and actively asked questions during the exchange session, covering everything from technical details to cultural comparisons, engaging in a cross-cultural dialogue that was both profound and heartwarming.
On November 17th, the culminating event of the series focused on the art of rubbing technique, with an invitation to Mr. Wei Wenrong, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor from the Suzhou Inscriptions Museum, to give a lecture. Wei Wenrong vividly explained the historical origins and cultural connotations of the rubbing technique, highlighting the auspicious symbolism and unique craftsmanship of vermilion rubbing. From cleaning the steles, spreading the Xuan paper, mixing the ink, hammering and pressing, every step was demonstrated in detail with patient answers. Pakistani students followed the guidance online, imagining the magical process of vermilion rubbings from blurry to clear, and feeling the reverence of the ancients for cultural inheritance.
This online series of lectures on intangible cultural heritage represents an innovative practice by SPU in promoting the international dissemination of excellent traditional Chinese culture. The event, centered around three major intangible cultural heritage skills, not only provides a diverse window for teachers and students of the Sino-Pakistani Zhenghe College to understand traditional Chinese culture, but also, through the mode of "explanation + demonstration + interaction", enables the cultural connotation and spiritual value behind the intangible cultural heritage skills to transcend borders and resonate deeply with people. In the future, SPU will continue to leverage the opportunity of the Belt and Road cultural exchanges to create more cross-cultural exchange brand activities, allowing the flower of intangible cultural heritage to bloom in the hearts of Chinese and foreign youth, injecting lasting impetus into enhancing people-to-people connectivity and promoting mutual learning among civilizations.
