Beijing recognizes 123 new intangible cultural heritage inheritors

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism recognized the fifth group of 123 city-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors at a promotional and exhibition event for intangible cultural heritage held on Thursday. 

The newly recognized inheritors bring the total number of city-level inheritors in Beijing to 348. The city is also home to 118 national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors.

Among the 123 named, 54% are under the age of 60, with the youngest aged 30. The list included individuals selected from such cultural heritages as the Eight Great Sights of Yanjing, Peking Opera, the Hou Niu Fang Flower Cymbal Drum in Changping district, and the Yanqing Land Boat.

As vital intangible cultural heritage bearers and transmitters, the inheritors possess specialized knowledge and masterful skills. Their official recognition is crucial for preserving and sustaining intangible cultural heritages.

The event also invited the inheritors from the list, together with their apprentices, to demonstrate traditional crafts including hardwood furniture making, layered-cloth shoe craftsmanship, ink-stick production techniques, pickled condiment preparation, Tai Chi, and Beijing kite crafting.