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Therese Healy, consul general of Ireland in Shanghai, admires handiwork of Xuhang straw weaving in Xuhang town, Jiading, Shanghai, on Nov 22. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn] |
Therese Healy, consul general of Ireland in Shanghai, visited the city's Jiading district on Nov 22 to take in some Xuhang straw weaving.
Xuhang straw weaving is a traditional and representative handicraft of Jiading's Xuhang town, contributing to the reputation of Xuhang as the "hometown of straw weaving".
It has a history of more than 1,000 years, with the handicraft technique first originating in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was on the second list of National Intangible Cultural Heritages in 2008.
Wang Qin, inheritor of Xuhang straw weaving, was invited to introduce the history, techniques, and marketing channels of this handicraft.
The consul general also visited a straw weaving cooperative and got to know how the straw weaving has helped many female labor force get employed and alleviated the economic burden for their families.
Healy marveled at the exquisite straw weaving handiwork. She thought this beautiful handicraft needs to pursue innovation and promote inheritance.
She also said the handicraft has both economic and social benefits and expressed her hopes for artists of the two countries to have more opportunities to exchange with each other.
This event was considered conducive to increasing the domestic and global exposure of Xuhang straw weaving.