Interview

Dreaming in Chinese I Dreamed in Chinese (我用中文做了场梦) is a nonfiction work by young Italian writer Alex, who penned down his six-year experiences in China in Mandarin. Alex's connection with China began in 2014 at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, and in 2016, he traveled to China to study film and Chinese. Over these six years, he witnessed various social changes, the rise and fall of the film industry, and the shifting times. Without relying on translators, Alex communicated in Chinese, engaging deeply with different people and recording their touching stories. In his calm yet humorous style, Alex documented his observations and daily life in China. He wrote about individual encounters and societal changes in recent years, capturing the universal emotions and challenges faced by young people worldwide. In a disordered and lonely era, he embraced life's uncertainties, sought freedom, crossed barriers, and connected with people. The Beginning: Nanjing Youth Olympic Games In August 2014, six years after the release of "Beijing Welcomes You," China was preparing to host the second Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. I had a layover in Frankfurt, waiting for Lufthansa's flight LH720. It was my first trip to the East, and I had no idea…

The first time I met Mina was in a small fruit and vegetable store. With her dark, curly hair and striking Central Asian features, she effortlessly conversed with customers in fluent Mandarin, even slipping into the local Shaanxi dialect. This Tajikistan native has formed a deep bond with the city of Xi'an, and her story is one of cultural integration and blossoming friendships. Mina, now 20 years old, has just completed her undergraduate studies at the Chinese Language Institute of Xi'an International Studies University. Reflecting on her four years of study, she describes her experience as "rich" and "exciting." During this time, she participated in numerous cultural exchange activities, from performing Central Asian tea ceremonies and dances at the Tang Dynasty Everbright City to singing at the China-Central Asia Youth Leadership Program. These experiences have not only enhanced her language skills but also her ability to sing and dance proficiently. One of Mina's most significant experiences was volunteering at the China-Central Asia Summit, where she introduced the Terracotta Warriors and the historical development of the Silk Road to guests and journalists. "The setup of the conference was incredibly impressive, and I felt honored to be a part of it," she…

In the bustling city of Hangzhou, amidst the preparation fervor for the upcoming Paris Olympics, a unique confectionery has emerged to represent Chinese cultural innovation on the global stage. Crafted by Hangzhou Xiao Re Hun (小热昏) Food Technology Co., Ltd., in collaboration with CHNSCI (China Sports Cultural Development Center), this creation—known as the "Cultural Pear Paste Lollipop"—will accompany China's sports delegation as a symbolic gift to international guests. Rediscovering Tradition through Innovation Behind the revival of "Xiao Re Hun," a storied brand with roots in traditional pear confections, stands Zheng Lei, a prominent figure in China's cultural creativity sector. Zheng, at 37, hails from the business community in Yueqing, known for his transformative efforts in blending heritage with contemporary appeal. Taking over "Xiao Re Hun" four years ago was not merely a business decision for Zheng; it was a mission to infuse vitality into a venerable cultural icon. For Zheng, heritage brands like "Xiao Re Hun" embody profound historical and cultural significance, ripe for revitalization. However, attracting a younger audience necessitated bold innovations. Retaining the traditional craftsmanship of pear confections while introducing modern packaging and playful concepts became Zheng's strategy. This delicate balance between tradition and innovation has been pivotal in appealing…

Wu Yanni's (吴艳妮) Journey to the Paris Olympics In the realm of athletics, where discipline and determination reign supreme, few stories captivate the imagination like that of Wu Yanni. From her early days in a military family to the bustling tracks of international competition, Wu Yanni has emerged not only as a formidable athlete but also as a cultural icon challenging norms. Wu Yanni's profile on the official Paris Olympics website reads like a testament to her star status. Detailed sections outline her hobbies, including jazz dance, Pilates, and shopping, painting a picture of a well-rounded individual beyond the track. Her family background, education at Beijing Sport University, and proficiency in languages further highlight her diverse interests and accomplishments. The Early Years: Nurturing a Champion Born into a military family, Wu Yanni was influenced by her grandfather's belief that girls should be strong. This upbringing steered her towards athletics from a young age, initially through dance and later through track and field. Her transition to hurdling under coach Yang Hui marked a turning point, shaping her into the athlete she is today. Wu Yanni's journey hasn't been without challenges. A setback during the 2022 Asian Games, where she was disqualified for a…

In the heart of Cao County, a quiet revolution has been underway, transforming the fortunes of its youth through an unexpected avenue: Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing. For decades, opportunities for young locals to break into wealth creation were limited without powerful connections or resorting to less savory means. However, against the odds, Qin Shuo carved out his path to success. From Factory Floors to Fashion In 2016, Qin Shuo, then 18, abandoned his studies and ventured to Beijing as a factory worker crafting paper boxes. The monotony pushed him to seek more fulfilling work, leading to a stint as a car salesman. Despite trying his hand at various roles, including selling Chery and Honda cars, he found himself dissatisfied and struggling financially. Returning home to Cao County in 2019, Qin Shuo stumbled upon an opportunity in Hanfu. Initially a sideline to earn extra cash, Qin Shuo quickly recognized the burgeoning demand for original Hanfu designs. His first attempt, albeit with a steep learning curve and initial setbacks, eventually paved the way for his entrepreneurial breakthrough. Seizing the Hanfu Market Qin Shuo’s early forays into selling Hanfu were modest, starting with a few designs sourced from friends. His persistence paid off…

In recent years, the popularity of Hanfu has surged across China, particularly evident during events like the Jinhu Hanfu Cultural Consumption Season. People flock to ancient capitals like Hedou, clad in exquisite Hanfu attire, to indulge in traditional foods, capture memorable moments against iconic landmarks, and eagerly share their experiences on social media. Hanfu has become more than just a garment; it's a cultural statement, often eclipsing even the weather in conversations. The Evolution of Hanfu: From Tradition to Trend Hanfu, by definition, refers to traditional Chinese attire that dates back to ancient times. As Professor Huang Qiang, a renowned expert in clothing history, explains, references to Hanfu can be found in ancient texts dating back to the times of the Yellow Emperor and Yao-Shun era. Each dynasty in Chinese history contributed unique styles to Hanfu, reflecting the era's aesthetic and social norms. From the deep-collared "Shenyi" of the Qin and Han dynasties, which symbolized modesty and hierarchy, to the flowing "Baoyi" robes of the Wei and Jin periods, which exuded elegance and freedom, Hanfu evolved alongside China's rich history. The Tang dynasty introduced a color-coded system where the hue of one's attire indicated social status—a system vividly captured in…

Wang Sibo (Roywang), the first person in Chinese light painting art and the first Chinese advisor of the World Light Painting Alliance, is adept at creating light paintings in a Chinese style. In 2018, he completed the painting "Dragon Dance in Beijing" in just 7 minutes, where a golden dragon illuminated Wangfujing Street, breaking the world record. He integrates traditional Chinese aesthetics into modern art, using light as ink and night as canvas, combining ancient cultural elements with contemporary art forms to create stunning works. He even brings mythical creatures from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" to life on the streets, becoming well-known to the public. 01 Painting everything with light Light painting, in simple terms, is the process of capturing the movement of light sources in a dark environment through long exposure, resulting in various abstract images. For example, if one wants to paint a dragon, they can use a light source to "draw" the dragon in front of the camera, and the camera will record the trajectory of the light source, creating a photo that shows a shining dragon. For creators of light painting photography, it does not require highly advanced painting skills. With a basic foundation…

In the minds of most people, Chinese monsters are usually associated with various strange and supernatural creatures in novels and stories. For example, the monster featured in the first episode of "Yao-Chinese Folktales" titled "Nobody" is from the famous novel "Journey to the West". The inspiration for the second episode's story titled "Goose Mountain" comes from a Southern Dynasty supernatural novel called "Yang Xian Shu Sheng". The animation depicts scenes of monsters devouring each other, creating a creepy atmosphere that vividly portrays an imaginative interpretation of “Chinese monsters” and “Chinese aesthetics”. These ancient Chinese monsters or rather Chinese demons have been passed down for thousands of years; therefore more excellent works like "Yao-Chinese Folktales" are needed to celebrate their unique charm. The textual records of monster images date back to the pre-Qin period, with a history spanning more than two thousand years. The "Shanhaijing (山海经, Classic of Mountains and Seas)" is the pioneer in this field and also known as the ancestor of ancient and modern strange stories. The original version of "Shanhaijing" was illustrated; however, those ancient illustrations were lost during Han dynasty, leaving only Ming-Qing engraved illustrations for us to reference. Artist Ren Caifeng attempts to discover an…

Leaf painting, also known as leaf carving, originated in the Zhou Dynasty and flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties. It uses the natural form of leaves and cleverly utilizes their natural veins to create stunning works of art. The work is delicate like a cicada's wings, with natural colors that transform decay into magical beauty. However, due to its difficulty in preservation, many exquisite pieces have been lost over time causing this craft to nearly fall into oblivion. Last August though Ding Li's leaf painting artwork series depicting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" went viral bringing this ancient yet captivating technique back into public view. Ding Li hails from Xianyang City in Hubei Province and has loved painting since he was five years old experimenting with sketching, watercolor painting, and oil paintings while also dabbling in woodcarving, bamboo-carving, stone-carving, nuclear carving etc., all out of pure interest for these different forms of artistry. At thirteen years old he attended an art exhibition where he saw an elderly man using small knives to carve on leaves; fascinated by what seemed like magic he watched him work for almost two hours before being asked if he wanted to learn…

Bamboo weaving is a handicraft that uses bamboo split into strips or filaments from mountain bamboo to weave various utensils and handicrafts. The craft of bamboo weaving not only has great practical value, but also has a profound historical heritage. In the history of bamboo weaving industry, it was mostly in the form of workshops, often passed down from generation to generation or through master-apprentice relationships based on workshops, where apprentices became independent after learning and then recruited apprentices, passing on their skills through oral and practical teaching. Generally used for daily necessities and agricultural tools. Bamboo weaving has a long history and is the second batch of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Diao Kuan, a bamboo weaving craftsman born in the 1990s, is from Dangshan County, Anhui Province. As a child, Diao Kuan loved to hang around the old craftsmen, willing to spend a whole day watching them weave bamboo. The old craftsmen's hands seemed to have a magical power, turning ordinary bamboo strips into exquisite handicrafts. The love for bamboo weaving was like a seed planted in the young Diao Kuan's heart. What sets Diao Kuan apart from other craftsmen is that he injured his right hand when he…

Shu embroidery, as the longest-standing embroidery in China, is one of the four famous Chinese embroidery, along with Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, and Yue embroidery. The hands of Shu embroidery weavers not only hold a precious craft, but also carry thousands of years of reproduction and imagination of flowers, birds, trees, rivers, and nature. Take a look at the history of Shu embroidery and its exquisiteness with Cosmopolitan's interview with Wang Xia, the inheritor of Shu embroidery.   The treasure of Shu embroidery begins at the tip of a needle The art of Shu embroidery, which began with a needlepoint, is a luxury for modern people, it is a craft that has been passed down for over two thousand years. Shu embroidery, with its bright and delicate colors and exquisite needlework, has formed its own unique charm, and its richness ranks first among the four famous embroideries. In fact, the history of Shu embroidery dates back to the Western Han Dynasty. "The industry of female workers, covering the world in clothes," was recorded in the "Book of the Later Han". At that time, the literary writer Yang Xiong described the scene of embroidering silk that could be seen everywhere in…

From historical books and museums artifacts to ancient costume dramas, and being widely worn, the steps of hanfu entering the public eye are traceable. Hanfu culture is traditional, but has also become a trend. Nowadays, there are countless young people around the world who love hanfu culture, this is not a form of nostalgia or pilgrimage, but rather hanfu's enduring vitality is due to it being a living history, a living culture, and an enduring fashion. Despite this, Hanfu is still far from our daily lives for many of us. Some people are intimidated by the complex style and impracticality of Hanfu, while others are concerned with the rigorous and strict form of Hanfu, and are afraid to try it. What are the requirements for wearing hanfu? What are the controversies about the form of hanfu? How far are we from the ultimate goal of everyone wearing hanfu? In the form of a Q&A, Harper's Bazaar and hanfu culture enthusiast and promoter Yu Zhu discuss how hanfu can enter the daily lives of every hanfu lover.   The Threshold of Wearing Hanfu Yu Zhu first became aware of hanfu during her student days, from timid photo shoots in the early…

The master architect, Liang Sicheng, once said, "The architecture of every culture throughout history has produced its own buildings, rising and falling with that culture." Chinese ancient architecture, with its red walls and green tiles, exudes a grand and majestic aura. Unlike the stone structures prevalent in other parts of the world, it directly reflects the wooden structures that embody the wisdom passed down by generations of Chinese craftsmen for thousands of years. Shi Rongmin, with a background in architectural design, has spent three years creating exquisite artistic models of buildings with the ethnic style of northern Guangxi. Through the internet, he has introduced these models and the architecture to a wider audience.   The Characteristic Architecture of the Hometown Shi Rongmin, who has always had a passion for building things since childhood and frequently made toy models using toothpicks or bamboo, chose to study architecture design in college because of his love for model making. Longsheng is a multi-ethnic autonomous county with many minority buildings such as the Diaojiaolou and the pavilions. As someone who grew up in this area, Shi Rongmin has a unique emotional connection to these buildings. Driven by his interest, he began to plan and…

Fantastic creatures, beasts, and ghosts, people fear, or fascinated, but no one has ever seen the real face. However, there is a post-90s painter, Shan Ze, in his brush, those only appear in the legends and ancient books of the creatures and ghosts are presented one by one. Since ancient times, Chinese people have been full of unknown and respect for fantastic creatures and spirits, but under the brush of painter Shan Ze, they are completely overturned, with kind of new appearances. His paintings were nominated for the "Golden Dragon Award" for best illustration, and he has captured a large number of fans by transforming the thoughts of the millennium into paintings. Shan Ze, his real name is Li Yifan, a young man from Chengdu, graduated from Sichuan University College of Arts. Inheriting the heritage of Chinese style, he dares to challenge the traditional way of painting, forming a unique style that is beautiful and not losing its atmosphere. Shan Ze's paintings seem to transport the viewer to a whole new world of creatures, which is mesmerizing. In Shan Ze's imagination, the majestic and fearsome door gods of mythology are dressed in splendid battle armor and have a heroic posture.…

China is a land of breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant artistic traditions. Among the many facets of Chinese art and culture, the use of color stands out as a particularly distinctive and enduring feature. From the bold reds and golds of imperial palaces to the serene blues and greens of ancient landscapes, traditional Chinese colors evoke a sense of harmony, balance, and aesthetic refinement that has captivated people for centuries. We will explore the history, symbolism, and beauty of the most iconic colors together with the authors of books on traditional Chinese colors, Guo Hao. Whether you are an art lover, a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates beauty, the world of traditional Chinese colors is sure to enchant and inspire you.   Reclaiming Traditional Chinese Colors Guo Hao, a researcher of Chinese traditional colors, has spent five years scavenging for remnants of traditional colors from tens of thousands of ancient books and cultural relics. Due to cultural discontinuity, traditional Chinese colors are scattered in a large number of ancient books, and the whole process of recovery is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Guo Hao went through nearly 400 kinds of canonical books and…

Fondant is the icing used to decorate or sculpt cakes and pastries. And the main character in this article, Zhou Yi, has reative incorporated traditional Chinese style beauty and hanfu into his fondant cakes. Since he started using fondant to make Chinese-style dolls, the controversy for Zhou Yi has never stopped, but for Zhou Yi, fondant is just the medium, what is important is that he wants to make the world feel the charm of the China. For his own works, Zhou Yi is very thoughtful. "Born in this era, you have to keep up with the times, the reason why things in the past became traditions is that they represented that era, now, it's our turn to create traditions." The hanfu clothing is as light as gauze, and it is difficult to achieve this visual effect with fondant. Zhou Yi and his team experimented thousands of times, combining traditional Chinese dough sculpture techniques, using a rolling pin to press the flip sugar as thin as possible. The traditional fondant is prone to cracking after drying, and the dolls have a short shelf time. So Zhou Yi spent another year, specifically adjusting the ratios and trying more than 1,000 kinds…

The power of the written word has long been recognized by humankind, and throughout history, books have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world around us. From the earliest manuscripts to modern-day publications, each text holds a wealth of knowledge and insights into the past. The documentary "Ancient Books Through Time" takes viewers on a fascinating journey through the ages, exploring the evolution of the written word and uncovering the secrets that lie within some of the ancient Chinese books. Through a combination of expert analysis, stunning visuals, and compelling storytelling, this documentary offers a rare glimpse into the past, illuminating the extraordinary impact of books on human history. The documentary "Ancient Books Through Time" shows us in the most convincing way that ancient books come through time and can also be integrated into our lives.   1 Vivid life in the ancient books Everyone's life is always inseparable from food, clothing, housing, and transportation, and it was the same in ancient China. Let's start with food and clothing, and learn how the ancient people lived from the ancient Chinese books. If we travel back to the Song Dynasty, we should not have to worry that…

In recent years, there has been a growing trend among young people to learn and master the art of filigree inlay. This ancient decorative technique involves the delicate placement of intricate metal threads or wires onto a metal base to create a stunningly intricate design. Once a highly valued skill among artisans, filigree inlay fell out of fashion as modern manufacturing techniques took over. However, in the age of DIY and the resurgence of interest in traditional crafts, filigree inlay is experiencing a revival. Let's take a closer look at this beautiful art form and why it's attracting a new generation of makers. The production of filigree inlay can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, with its fine and exquisite craftsmanship, can be regarded as a high class custom-made piece of classical jewelry. It was the exclusive preserve of the court nobility in ancient China. This traditional craft, however, is beginning to be loved and passed on by a younger generation of craftsmen. Gu Guoqiang, a young man from Chongqing, loves classical brush painting and everything about traditional culture. In college, he studied ceramics, and he was involved in the restoration of…

Serious eyes and magnificent scenes make the audience seem to be able to be in the painting. Each painting is powerful and has an impressive presence, and the oriental fantasy narrative is integrated into the painting, which makes people excited. Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu with soaring aspirations. The unruly and uninhibited Monkey King. Tang warriors, who dressed in warrior armor and wore masks in the style of Tang Sancai pottery, guarded the tomb of Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Xu Zihui, born in Qingdao in 1996, has been in contact with comic strips, sketches and cartoons since childhood, and he has been drawing for 16 years. During his study at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, he won numerous awards and several heavyweight awards.   Young "veteran artist" Becoming famous at a young age, most people thought he was a genius. But in fact, Xu Zihui's creation in the past few years is also a process of constant transformation. He changes in each bottleneck and doubt, and gains new life in difficulties just as in his painting. During the seven-year undergraduate and master years, the first two years are a learning process,…

In a year and a half, this blogger has only updated 22 videos, but one of them has made him gain a million followers. He is the top blogger of Chinese style cosplay, Zhu Tiexiong (朱铁雄). He used the ultimate special effects to ignite the passion and romance in the hearts of all ancient style fans.     01 Chinese-style passion and romance Zhu Tiexiong inspires the emotions rooted in our heart with his moving stories. His first video is very short. He uses cheap cardboard to pretend to be Sun Wukong, guarding the dreams of sick children, but when he is mocked and belittled, he does a backflip and rises into the air, transforming into Qi Tian Da Sheng. "Those dreams that seem so ridiculous are the light we guard with all our might". He is also the majestic Zhao Yun, riding a white horse, heroic rescue. Behind his gorgeous chinoiserie costume transformation, is the heroic nature and chivalry. Through the constant reversal of the plot, it touches our emotions. But Zhu Tiexiong does not intend to let the audience stay only in the visual enjoyment, he hopes to convey more values. He began to try to add…

The thriving hanfu and its derivative culture are coming back into the public view in a creative, distinct, and diverse way, lending its light and color back to the energetic youth. In this article, follow "THE GREAT SHOKUNIN" and meet Hanfu makeup blogger @Xiao Zhuang (小庄).   Creative Ancient Hanfu Makeup The account @Xiao Zhuang is actually run jointly by two Hanfu enthusiasts, with makeup, appearances, editing and post generally handled by Qing Qing (晴晴), while photography and filming are done by Xiao Zhuang. They have collaborated on over 200 videos, the most popular of which is the series "The Beauty of China's Millennium", which has received nearly 10 million views. In this series, Qing Qing restored the history of the evolution of makeup, hairstyles, accessories, and hanfu clothing of the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. Before this, we mostly got a glimpse of ancient women's grooming, makeup and lifestyle from ancient TV dramas, but the style was mostly uniform, lacking in creativity and sophistication. On the contrary, in Xiao Zhuang's video, you can fully experience the changes of women's makeup and costume in different dynasties. Taking the Tang Dynasty makeup of this series as an example, the complete reproduction…

In 2015, three post-80s, who love statues and model toys, founded Infinity Studio (开天工作室) together in Shanghai. Today, Infinity Studio has not only become the head brand of sculpture in China, but also led the niche circle to develop into a hot modeling industry, truly bringing love into reality and doing the best. Pu Xiang Industrial Design Studio recently interviewed the founder of Infinity Studio, Yu Guanglai, and talked with him about the first half of his life dedicated to the statues.   01 The bond with model toys Yu Guanglai has been associated with model toys for more than thirty years. Ever since he understood, most of his life has been closely connected with model toys. The first model toy in Yu Guanglai's life was the Transformers that his mother bought for him. But at that time, he was young and playful, and the toys he wanted were both numerous and expensive. Yu Guanglai repeatedly dreamed of going to various kinds of toy stores, and sometimes he would wake up with toys in his arms. When he woke up, he found that it was just a dream, and he was very disappointed. Once, the school organized a summer hiking.…

Is there a limit to the imagination? For young Chinese style painting painters, the answer is no.   Wu Junda All the living things are in a commotion between the empty valley. The scene of the divine beast standing proudly between heaven and earth facing the tiny human brings a great impact of confrontation to the audience. Wu Junda (吴俊达) once participated in the Global Game Art Contest (GGAC) and took the Grand Prize in the global 2D art category. The award-winning work that Wu Junda made a name for himself was "Shan Hai You Ling (山海有灵, Mountains and Oceans with Great Spirit)". The four beasts suppressing the mountains and rivers with a stroke that is strong enough to dominate the world tear a crack of time in the intersection of reality and illusion. The details, moreover, are breathtaking. The four beasts with moving hair sweep the bewildered crowd with their fierce eyes which are gradually revealing. Lazy but very oppressive limbs are waving between heaven and earth. Not even a tiny detail should be ignored although the picture is dominated by the divine beasts. The tiny human and the huge divine beast are making a great visual impact. The complex…

Birds turned into hanfu beauty? The post-90s painter used her brush to anthropomorphize the birds, all of them cute. She gave up medicine for painting and is known as the "Most beautiful demon painter". She gave up her medical career and focused on painting. Let's Follow the "THE GREAT SHOKUNIN" to meet the painter @Lu Ming Shan (鹿溟山).   The "accidental" popularity of practice painting Lu Ming Shan herself didn't expect that her bird paintings, which she usually used to practice, would receive a lot of love from netizens. In her brush, the little sparrows transformed into a group of energetic travelers, even their demeanor and temperament were pinpointed with great precision. They also turn into small schoolchildren playing with each other, the Tang dynasty musician playing the lute and deserting, or handsome knights. Lu Ming Shan is not only able to paint small sparrows, parrots, and magpies are often transformed in her brush. The yellow birds look so vibrant that she turns them into ladies in yellow hanfu dresses. The colorful birds are like the most dazzling colors in spring, and Lu Ming Shan does paint them as princesses, the tail is the skirt, floating and moving. Lu Ming Shan…