China News Service, Jilin, November 9th (Reporter Cang Yan Shi Hongyu) The red paper was folded, the scissors were turned over, the scraps of paper fell, and a paper-cut pattern with Manchu folk custom patterns took shape in the palm of the hand.
In a classroom at Jilin Medical University, Li Xia, the representative inheritor of the Manchu folk paper-cutting of the Wulahuang clan in Jilin Province, demonstrated paper-cutting techniques to the college students sitting around. The students in the audience held scissors, compared the drawings to create, and raised their hands to ask for advice from time to time.
Li Xia started from the basic movements of origami and scissors, combined with the cultural meaning of Manchu folk patterns, to explain the basic techniques of this skill. After students complete their works, they show and communicate with each other. One student said that the seemingly simple pattern can only be realized by hands-on operation. The strength and angle of the scissors need to be practiced repeatedly.
Paper-cutting class held by Jilin Medical University. Photo by Shi Hongyu
The Ulahuang Manchu folk paper-cutting has a history of more than 160 years. The themes are mostly taken from Manchu folk life, and they pay attention to smooth lines and full composition. In recent years, Li Xia has brought this intangible cultural heritage skill into college classrooms and has started classes in 7 colleges and universities in Jilin Province.
Li Xia travels to various schools every week to teach, and his course experience slots are widely welcomed by students. "Over the years, more than 10,000 college students have been exposed to this intangible cultural heritage skill." Li Xia said that many colleges and universities organize students to learn Manchu paper-cutting through forums, club experiences, elective courses, open courses and other carriers, and some students' works have won national and provincial competition awards.
Li Bolin, a junior, is a medical student with a heavy daily workload. In his opinion, paper-cutting creation can not only relieve stress, but also make friends with many friends who love national trends and traditional culture. The paper-cutting class opened a window for him to get in touch with traditional skills.
In Jilin, which is rich in cultural and tourism resources, Manchu paper-cutting is not the only intangible cultural heritage that enters the campus. Jilin Girls' School invited "Moodle Hu" Hu Liancai to join the school to offer dough sculpting skills courses for students majoring in clothing. Local primary and secondary schools and vocational colleges also offer more than 20 intangible cultural heritage courses such as Manchu embroidery, paper tearing, and Ula straw weaving. Relying on the "One Skill for Life" training program, students are guided to master at least one traditional skill in school.
In recent years, Jilin has continued to promote the introduction of intangible cultural heritage into campuses, and Manchu folk paper-cutting has become an elective course in colleges and universities. This is one of the vivid practices. Li Xia said that college students are receptive and creative, and the classroom interaction also allowed her to see more possibilities for the integration of traditional patterns and contemporary aesthetics.
In addition to the classroom, Li Xia also relies on related projects of Jilin Art Institute to launch recorded and broadcast teaching for overseas Chinese teenagers to promote this intangible cultural heritage to go overseas. She said that the recorded courses can help overseas Chinese teenagers understand the folk connotation of paper-cutting and broaden channels for the dissemination of skills.
From hands-on teaching in college classrooms to online learning for overseas Chinese teenagers, Jilin's intangible cultural heritage represented by Manchu folk paper-cutting is gaining more and more attention. Li Xia said frankly that students' high enthusiasm for course selection and vivid creative feedback made her feel that ancient traditional skills still retain strong appeal among young people.
