Ningbo intangible heritage creations captivate at UN

A 24-solar-term-themed umbrella is presented to a UN official. [Photo/Yongpai App]

Ningbo's cultural innovations recently took center stage at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Columbia University, showcasing the elegance of Oriental aesthetics through intangible heritage creations.

Oil-paper umbrellas inspired by the 24 solar terms, embroidered eye masks, and other creative products from Ningbo offered international audiences a glimpse into the depths of Chinese tradition reimagined for modern life.

The 24 solar terms, inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list, served as a central theme. Highlights included a Song porcelain series that paired each solar term with a representative artifact, blending simplified Chinese character art with refined color palettes. This approach united seasonal imagery with porcelain aesthetics, expressing the harmony of heritage and contemporary design.

The exhibition, titled Cultural Exchange Harmonious Coexistence, gathered over 100 works from national ICH inheritors, artisans, and cross-cultural designers, emphasizing both tradition and innovation.

Ningbo-based MIC ICH Cultural Management Co played a key role at this exhibition. Xu Kezhuo, the company's leader, noted that the creations represent "a lifestyle rooted in Oriental aesthetics" and a bridge for global dialogue.

The event drew enthusiastic responses from international experts. UN official Marco Suazo expressed fascination with the solar-term oil-paper umbrellas, noting: "These works are not only rich in cultural meaning but also very stylish. I truly love them."

A UN official and an exhibitor pose for a photo with 24-solar-term-themed umbrellas. [Photo/Yongpai App]