Mixing crafts on new ground

But Li believes the paper's distinctive texture could eventually become an artistic advantage.

"Its weakness could also become its strength," he says.

If artists create works specifically suited to the texture of mulberry paper, its rough surface and natural fibers often seen as limitations could become unique visual features, he adds.

"In the future, if artists create directly for this material, we may discover a new artistic language," Li says.

The current works represent only an initial exploration. The team hopes to collaborate with Xinjiang artists to develop designs and techniques that make the best use of local materials.

"When two elements come together, neither should lose its own character," he says. "The value lies in finding the point where they can meet."

Silk Road connections

Cross-regional cooperation from the partnership between Quanzhou in Fujian province and Changji Hui autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang has delivered a special rendition of the popular Fujian song Ai Pin Cai Hui Ying (Only By Striving Can One Win) which drew large crowds at the showcase in Shihezi.

The familiar melody was reimagined by blending Fujian folk instruments with Xinjiang traditions, including the dombra, the traditional two-stringed Kazak instrument, and Xinjiang folk singing.

The performance is part of an ongoing partnership linking Quanzhou, one of the key ports along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, with Changji, a region historically connected to the overland Silk Road. Over the years, the collaboration has created platforms for performances, training and exchanges among craftspeople from both regions.

Beyond performances, the Changji delegation brought a variety of local crafts and foods, including dough figurines, embroidery, traditional dairy products and folk handicrafts.

Among the exhibits was a collection of dough figurines representing different regions. Each figure combined symbols from Xinjiang and Fujian, illustrating how two distinct local cultures could come together through a single art form.

The delegation also showcased different embroidery traditions, including ethnic Kazak and ethnic Hui embroideries.

"Kazak embroidery is known for bright colors, bold patterns and motifs such as horn designs, while Hui embroidery often features finer stitching and delicate color combinations," explains Meng Yushan, an intangible cultural heritage specialist at the Changji prefecture cultural center.

Rather than merging them into a single style, the exhibition highlights their unique characteristics side by side.

For Meng, the partnership with Fujian has also opened new opportunities for local artisans to broaden their skills.

"Many of our inheritors have traveled to Fujian for training," she says.

They have studied areas such as lacquer painting and craft development, learning not only the techniques but also ways to transform traditional skills into sustainable creative industries, she adds.

When Lu Baogang first walked into the exhibition hall, he says he was struck by the diversity of traditions gathered under one roof.

"After walking around the venue, I realized that every province and region had brought its finest works, and every exhibition area had something unique to offer," Lu notes.

For Lu, the gathering was a reminder that intangible cultural heritage is not confined by geography.

Preserving tradition today is not only about safeguarding old techniques, but also about creating opportunities for different forms of heritage to interact, inspire and evolve, he says.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn