A crafts training course started on Dec 2 at Shanxi University in Taiyuan, attracting 120 craftspeople from across Shanxi province.

The event, initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education, intends to keep traditional Chinese cultural heritage alive for future generations.

Craftspeople across Shanxi province attend the launching ceremony of a training course on firing and carving techniques at Shanxi University in Taiyuan on Dec 2. There were 120 people engaged in the traditional handiwork taking part in the training. [Photo/sxrb.com]

"The program helps craftspeople improve their cultural attainment, appreciation and creativity through regular training and study, reviving traditional culture and enhancing design in handiwork," said Zheng Zhongxia, vice director of Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture.

The course focuses on firing and carving techniques involved in producing various handicrafts, such as porcelain carving, clay sculptures and colored glaze firing. These manual skills are important parts of Shanxi's cultural heritage.

A piece of porcelain carving by Ma Yuan from Shuozhou, Shanxi province [Photo/sxrb.com]

Many trainees exhibited their works before the opening ceremony of the training course, including pieces such as carved bricks and clay ink stones.

Su Yongjun from Taiyuan, a craftsman born into a family famous for colored glaze firing for over 600 years, showcased his peacock blue glaze pedestal produced using the firing technique.

A colored glaze pedestal made by Su Yongjun from Taiyuan who has been engaged in firing colored glaze for decades [Photo/sxrb.com]

"My teacher and I finally mastered the technique to produce peacock blue glaze by trial and error. We hope to let more people know about this art and use the colored glaze in daily life," said Su.

There have been three training courses such as paper cutting offered by Shanxi University in the past. Through professional guidance, lectures and practice, a comprehensive education system for encouraging traditional crafts has been established.

A clay sculpture named Blowing Bubbles by Jia Yinyong, a post-1980s craftsman from Taiyuan [Photo/sxrb.com]