The Key to the Protection and Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage lies in People's (Jintai Essays) Villages | Protection | Key

Huawu Village, a Miao ethnic village in Qianxi City, Bijie, Guizhou Province, was originally named "Village under a Cliff". Due to being blocked by cliffs and cliffs, this small mountain village was once a deeply impoverished village. Under the strong promotion of targeted poverty alleviation policies, Huawu Village has not only lifted its hat out of poverty, but also strengthened its unique Miao embroidery industry. Yang Wenli, a 95 year old embroidery lady who returned to her hometown to do Miao embroidery, was sold well at the intangible cultural heritage workshop last year, which led to dozens of local embroidery ladies returning to their hometowns for employment. More and more young people are joining the intangible cultural heritage industry, which not only enhances their understanding of excellent traditional culture and expands the ways to realize their life values, but also injects a source of vitality into the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

The key to the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage lies in people. According to the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, "intangible cultural heritage" refers to "various practices, performances, expressions, knowledge and skills, as well as related tools, objects, handicrafts, and cultural venues that are considered as their cultural heritage by various groups, groups, and sometimes individuals.". Compared with "material" cultural heritage such as natural cultural landscapes and cultural relics, intangible cultural heritage places more emphasis on the inheritance of knowledge, emotions, skills, craftsmanship, and their vitality. Its essence is always linked to the representative inheritors of the project, highlighting the core position and important role of "people".

Strengthening the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage requires actively cultivating inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. As of now, China has more than 100000 representative projects of intangible cultural heritage at all levels, including 1557 national level representative projects of intangible cultural heritage. Each intangible cultural heritage contains profound and ancient cultural memories and historical information, and the practical experience of inheritors is precious. For example, the production process of rice paper in Jing County, Anhui Province involves more than 100 traditional processes, which are difficult to master without years of accumulation. Many intangible cultural heritage techniques and processes lack written records, relying on oral transmission and long-term practice between masters and apprentices. Maintaining and expanding the population of inheritors, strengthening the construction of intangible cultural heritage talent team, and continuously improving the literacy of inheritors are necessary to enable intangible cultural heritage to continue its historical context in inheritance and become more flourishing in contemporary life.

To firmly pass on the baton of protecting and inheriting intangible cultural heritage, attention should be paid to stimulating the understanding, identification, and enthusiasm of young people towards intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, universities and primary and secondary schools in various regions have launched various forms of "intangible cultural heritage into campuses" activities. In Dali, Yunnan, 13 demonstration schools for intangible cultural heritage have been established, and more than 40 campus activities are held annually; At Henan Normal University, the campus promotion of intangible cultural heritage has been ongoing for 18 years, and more and more young students are infected by the charm of intangible cultural heritage, actively participating in the inheritance and protection of cultural heritage. This is undoubtedly a win-win situation: teenagers have gained more nourishment from intangible cultural heritage, and the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage has also gained endless youthful strength.

Intangible cultural heritage needs to be protected and passed down from generation to generation, while also maintaining integrity, innovation, and keeping up with the times. Many young people on various short video platforms have used their ingenuity to create popular intangible cultural heritage items, including replicating the "Eternal Life" Tongcao Flower, restoring the deliciousness of ancient books, and transforming cans into stunning phoenix crowns; Some theater troupes cooperate with live streaming platforms to inject vitality into the dissemination of intangible cultural heritage through new forms such as live streaming. All of these enlighten us that only by fully unleashing human subjective initiative and promoting the revitalization of intangible cultural heritage in people's life practice, can ancient intangible cultural heritage continue to write new chapters of the times.

The rich and colorful intangible cultural heritage is a treasure of Chinese culture and a vivid witness to the continuous inheritance of Chinese civilization. Protect, inherit, and make good use of intangible cultural heritage, putting people first, passing down the torch, and continuously singing string songs. Effectively protect and make reasonable use of intangible cultural heritage under the premise of effective protection. Intangible cultural heritage that has come from the depths of time can better integrate into modern life, showcase contemporary value, enter thousands of households, and shine with more charming brilliance.