In celebration of the upcoming National Day holiday, Shanghai's Putuo district is set to host an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and creative cultural products fair on Oct 6 at the TOP Central Park. 

The vibrant event will feature more than 10 ICH stalls from cities along the Shanghai-Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt, which includes Shanghai's Putuo district and seven other cities in East China's Jiangsu province — Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong, Zhenjiang, and Taizhou.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a variety of traditional crafts, each reflecting centuries of cultural heritage. Highlights include intricate bamboo weaving, the elegant Song brocade of Suzhou, lively Yangzhou tongcao flowers, or hand-made flowers woven from a stem of the medicinal rice-paper plant, and the rustic blue calico cloth of Nantong. 

Additionally, the event will feature exclusive cultural and creative products inspired by the "Half Marathon Suzhou Creek", a landmark waterway that blends history with modernity, art with culture. 

Shanghai's Putuo district will present bamboo weaving, hand-painted eggs, vegetarian cuisine from the Jade Buddha Temple, and tatting, a type of vintage lacework. The hand-painted eggs, for example, known for their meticulous craftsmanship, undergo a lengthy process involving drilling, cleaning, disinfecting, drying, polishing, painting, and more.

Nanjing will showcase the art of velvet flowers, crafted from natural silk and copper wire, traditionally used in folk festivals and ceremonies. Suzhou will exhibit Song brocade weaving, a national ICH item known for its delicate texture and elegant patterns.

Nantong will demonstrate blue calico dyeing using natural indigo, while Yangzhou will display tongcao flowers, renowned for their lifelike appearance. Zhenjiang will present its 182-year-old Hengshun vinegar brewing technique, and Taizhou will offer insights into Xinghua farmers' paintings and paper-cutting, depicting themes of nature and folklore.

This cultural fair promises to be a vibrant celebration of tradition and creativity, offering a glimpse into the region's rich cultural tapestry.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo"