On March 5th, the Chinese mulberry paper painting works exhibition, one part of 2012 Spring Rain Project national cultural travel to the border areas activities was opened in National Library in Beijing. A piece of news comes from some foreign students who learn Chinese language in China that the exhibition was hosted by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and supported by the Ministry of Culture, National Library, Xinjiang Ministry of Culture and Chinese culture Media Group Cooperation Limited. Many important leaders from different relevant departments of Xinjiang and Beijing attended to the opening ceremony.
There were totally 90 paintings displayed in the exhibition which were all created on the mulberry paper in Hetian of Xinjiang. Many people say it has typical and strong Chinese style as well as the romantic charm in western China. The important thing is that it created a kind of expression form that both adapt to the needs esthetic demands and combine the tradition with the modern style. Of course, it indicated the rich spiritual contents in modern Xinjiang such as openness, innovation, communication and integration.
It is amazing for those foreign students who come to study at Chinese school in China that Chinese people can paint on the mulberry paper. As a matter of fact, the so-called mulberry paper being made of mulberry bark has a long history. As early as in Tang Dynasty, people in Xinjiang, especially in Hetian have been skilled in making the mulberry paper and then gradually spread. It enjoys the reputation of the loving fossil in paper-making industry in human history.
Since it is an important part of Chinese culture, China attaches much attention to protect it. In the year of 2006, Uygur people’s techniques and skills in making mulberry paper was successfully listed into the first group of national intangible heritages. One thing that the students who study in Chinese learning programs should know is that the whole process of the mulberry paper making is manual operation, demanding unique skills and showing special cultural concepts.
To protect and inherit the mulberry paper-making technology has great importance to increase the income of the local citizens and promote the mulberry silkworm rearing and silk industries as well as carry forward excellent cultural heritage. If you are interested, you can go for the exhibition which will last to March 15th. After that, it will be also exhibited in 19 provinces and cities in China.