Crafting a world at his fingertips

Growing up in a family renowned for its expertise in the art of dough figurines, Lang Jiaziyu developed a fascination for the process of molding dough from a young age. "I was only 5 years old when I told my father that I wanted to devote myself to making dough figurines," Lang recalled. "I made a small doll in a sitting gesture, which took me two and a half hours."

However, this craft, which has been passed down through generations, is not something that a 5-year-old beginner can master overnight. "It was awful," said Lang, laughing as he reflected on his first creation. "I intended to make an adorable doll, but instead, I made an ugly, middle-aged man."

But with the support and encouragement of his father, Lang made great progress and finally got the chance to showcase his skills in the previously mentioned national demonstration.

Reflecting on this event, Lang described it as a "fantastic experience". "When national leaders bent over to look at my works closely and admired them, offering generous praise about their cultural value, I felt a great sense of pride," he said.