Industrial development supports inheritance of traditional arts in Xizang

Industrial development in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region is playing a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of traditional arts, with a prime example being the walnut wood bowls from Gyaca County in Shannan City.

These bowls, crafted from the burls of ancient walnut trees, are not only renowned for their craftsmanship and quality but also hold a significant place in the daily life and festivals of the people of Xizang.

Gyaca County is home to extensive ancient walnut forests. With over 3,600 trees aged over 1,000 years spread across 24 villages, this natural resource is the backbone of the local economy and a testament to the region's commitment to sustainable development.

The walnut wood bowls are a representative of Xizang's intangible cultural heritage, a craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

The process of creating these bowls is intricate, involving eight steps from wood selection to carving and polishing. Skilled artisans dedicate two months to transform a piece of wood into a beautifully patterned bowl. The most famous bowls are those made from local walnut trees that are thousands of years old, showcasing unique craftsmanship.

In recent years, the region has focused on developing traditional cultural industries and cultivating talent to support the continuation of these arts. This has led to the rise of local heritage inheritors like Sangzhu, who started making wooden bowls at the age of 16.

With government support, he transitioned from a family workshop to establishing a cultural industry company. Sangzhu now combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design, creating stylish and practical products that cater to the growing market demand, thus ensuring the survival and evolution of this traditional art form.

"I've been making wooden bowls here for 26 years, and now I want to get more creative with the designs. I'm thinking of making smaller bowls that are easier for tourists to buy as souvenirs, or decorative ones for home display. We're also promoting through online marketing, and our yearly sales have doubled," he said.

Sangzhu's company has also become a local base for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. It offers skills training and employment opportunities for local residents, including many young people. This helps preserve and develop the craft of wooden bowl making, while enabling more people in the area to achieve sustainable income growth.

"Over the past two months of learning here, I've mastered every step of making wooden bowls, from selecting materials to processing. Working here now earns me about 9,000 yuan (about 1,275 U.S. dollars) a month, which has significantly improved my life. I hope to keep refining my skills, make more and better wooden bowls, and continue preserving this intangible cultural heritage," said Gesang, a local staff member.

The traditional wooden bowls, once a vital part of the daily life of the people in Xizang, also gained even wider attention with the rise of tourism. This has opened up new opportunities for the local artisans and the industry, further supporting the inheritance and innovation of traditional arts in Xizang.

Industrial development supports inheritance of traditional arts in Xizang

The intensifying Israeli attacks have forced more people to flee from Lebanon to Syria in search of safety shelters to escape Israeli bombardments by tortuously passing through the blocked roads and highways. The deteriorating situation in Lebanon has forced residents to seek refuge in the neighboring country and beyond.

"The situation in southern Lebanon is horrible. Many places have been severely destroyed and are no longer suitable for living. I am bringing my kids to flee from bombings," said Mohammad, a refugee from Lebanon, who is fleeing from his hometown to Syria, and then Iraq. A Friday Israeli airstrike targeting spots near the Lebanon-Syria border has further obstructed the journey, cutting multiple main roads toward the neighboring country, leaving large craters that refugees must navigate through on foot. Syria Arab Red Crescent, UNHCR, and other NGOs have been gathering around the border to offer support. "The road here was destroyed, and we can only walk through," said Mohammad. According to Syrian media, around 91,000 Lebanon refugees have fled to Syria, with around 3,000 Lebanese managed to cross the border on Monday despite the border airstrike.

While Israeli military claimed that the airstrikes hit Hezbollah targets near the border, the aftermath hindered not only the flow of refugees, but the delivery of humanitarian aid, blocking medical and emergency supplies outside.

Massive Lebanese refugees flee to Syria to escape Israeli bombardments