Intangible Cultural Heritage, Making Life Better
Entering and experiencing the beauty of tradition and innovation for young people in the Greater Bay Area
On the eve of the "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" in 2026, a unique event of introducing intangible cultural heritage into the campus was held at Jinan University. 91 primary and secondary school teachers and students from Gushu Community, Xixiang Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, walked into university classrooms to experience the unique charm of the integration of excellent traditional Chinese culture with contemporary technology and creative design up close.
This event is specially planned by the UNESCO Chair in the Inheritance and Innovation of World Traditional Handicrafts, jointly organized by the Cultural Heritage and Creative Industry Research Institute of Jinan University and the Party Committee of Gushu Community, Xixiang Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. The event closely follows the theme of this year's "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" - "Intangible Cultural Heritage, Making Life Better!", with young people in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area as the main target, exploring new paths for integrating intangible cultural heritage into modern life and youth education.
Classmates immerse themselves in the Four Seas Art Space exhibition at Jinan University
At the "Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Creative Design (Creative 100) Talent Training Program Achievement Exhibition", students, led by Liu Lulu, Director of the Innovation Practice Research Office of the Research Institute, gained a deep understanding of how traditional handicrafts can achieve creative transformation through modern design language. The exhibition covers multiple directions such as modern translation of intangible cultural heritage elements, development of cultural and creative products, and digital technology empowerment. Combined with fun Q&A sessions, the atmosphere on site is lively. The children actively raised their hands and participated enthusiastically, deepening their understanding and interest in intangible cultural heritage through interaction.
Students experience the integration and innovation of digital technology and intangible cultural heritage, and actively participate in fun Q&A sessions
In addition to static displays, the event also specially arranged an experiential segment that combines technology and intangible cultural heritage. With the support of the School of Mechanics and Architecture Engineering at Jinan University, students visited the "Mechanics and 3D Printing" Guangdong Science Popularization Base, listened to the science popularization lecture brought by Vice Dean Huang Shiqing of the college, and visited the Key Laboratory of "Marine Civil Engineering Materials and Structures" of the Ministry of Education up close. Li Gang, Deputy Director of the Experimental Center of the college, led everyone to experience the innovative power of engineering technology.
Visit and study at the Key Laboratory of Marine Civil Engineering Materials and Structures of the Ministry of Education and the History Museum of Jinan University
Vice Dean Huang Shiqing of the School of Mechanics and Architecture Engineering at Jinan University brings a science popularization lecture on mechanics knowledge to the students
The most popular one is undoubtedly the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Lion Dance Painting" experience class. After the teacher explained the historical origins of lion dance and the cultural connotations of Lingnan, the students began to create colorful paintings on the lion dance model. The fusion of traditional patterns and childlike creativity has led to the completion of colorful and vivid lion dance models one after another. I used to only see lion dance on TV, but today I drew it myself, which gives me a great sense of achievement! "Said a classmate who participated in the activity excitedly.
Classmates use creativity and imagination to endow traditional lion dance with rich colors
Su Mina, the person in charge of intangible cultural heritage at the Bao'an District Cultural Center in Shenzhen, stated that this event fully leverages the resource advantages of universities, communities, and professional institutions, allowing young people to get close to intangible cultural heritage through immersive experiences. It is a beneficial exploration of the integration and development of intangible cultural heritage on campus and in the community. Jinan University stated that in the future, it will continue to rely on the UNESCO Chair platform to deepen cultural heritage education for young people in the Bay Area, assist in the construction of the Humanistic Bay Area, and give new vitality to intangible cultural heritage in the hands of the younger generation.
It is reported that since its opening, the exhibition has received more than 2000 public visits, organized more than 50 study and exchange activities, served over 2400 young people and the general public, and is gradually becoming an important platform for cultural heritage education and creative design practice in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area.
