From May 28 to 31, the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Huangshan was held in Huangshan City. During the event, mayors and representatives from Germany, Italy, Slovakia, San Marino and other countries visited Tunxi Ancient Street, Hongcun Village in Yixian County and other scenic spots. They got up close to traditional Huizhou intangible cultural heritage crafts and appreciated their unique charm and vitality.

Grinding Huizhou ink sticks, making fish lanterns and picking tea leaves... Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, the foreign guests tried these traditional crafts in person. Dozens of national and Anhui provincial-level intangible cultural heritage items were showcased, including Huizhou lacquerware, Huizhou paper-tearing art, Huizhou wood carving, Huizhou paper-cutting, Huizhou writing brushes, Huizhou ink sticks, Shexian ink slabs and the Cheng Dawei abacus algorithm.

As a national-level intangible cultural heritage, the craft of making Huizhou ink sticks struck a chord with Filippo Gasperi, Mayor of Gradara, Italy. "Though Western ink-making methods differ from traditional Chinese techniques, we share the same goal of preservation and inheritance, and both stick to natural raw materials," he said. He added that he would bring back the experience of revitalizing Huizhou intangible cultural heritage to Italy, and promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two places.

Jiang Jinhua, inheritor of Anhui provincial-level paper-tearing art, demonstrated his exquisite skills, drawing crowds of foreign visitors. "This craft is incredibly ingenious, just like magic at one's fingertips," said Timea Sotakova, Deputy Mayor of Michalovce, Slovakia. She looked forward to deeper exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, so that distinctive intangible cultural heritages can integrate, reinforce and thrive together.

Andrea Crescentini, Mayor of Serravalle, San Marino, was deeply fascinated by Huizhou lacquerware, calling them works of pure and exquisite art. He remarked that the superb craftsmanship and profound cultural heritage of Huangshan's intangible cultural heritage made his trip worthwhile, and he would recommend Huangshan to his friends after returning home.

Cultures become diverse through exchanges, and civilizations get enriched via mutual learning. Through dialogue and interaction, Huizhou intangible cultural heritage has bridged geographical distances and served as an emotional bond linking people from diverse cultural backgrounds. It further facilitates exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and promotes the sharing of diverse cultures.

Source: Anhuinews.com