A girl performs a swordsmanship performance at the recent rural culture and tourism festival in Shandong province. [Photo provided to China Daily]
In late February, the Shandong Provincial Rural Culture and Tourism Festival was held in Guan County, Liaocheng City, and a group of children practicing plum blossom boxing attracted great attention.
“This is a performance that is an intangible cultural heritage of Gaosanri village in the prefecture, which boasts a 3,000-year history,” said Zenyu Ko, chairman of the Kwansen Baiken Succession Association.
Gao was still reliving the event, which lasted 10 days and was sold out. “Now we have over 100 disciples,” he said with pride.
Over the years, local governments have stepped up efforts to preserve local intangible cultural heritage. According to Deputy County Mayor He Ning, related performances have been staged at various martial arts festivals and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions in the province.
The move has galvanized local villagers' enthusiasm for practicing sports, he points out. “We will create new cultural and tourist attractions, use festivals and competitions to promote the development of martial arts fitness and leisure markets, and promote martial arts culture,” he says.
During the festival, local residents practice plum boxing. [Photo provided to China Daily]
