German Youth Meets Zibo Liuli Cross Cultural Dialogue in Intangible Heritage

After the Spring Equinox, a group of German international students walked into Zibo Xiaolujiang Liuli Studio, embarking on a journey of cultural exchange between China and foreign countries. By getting up close to Zibo lampworking liuli, an intangible cultural heritage skill, the students experienced a cross-border cultural collision.

Upon entering the studio, the students first watched the glass craftsmen at work. The blowtorch burned at a high temperature of 1,200 degrees Celsius, softening the transparent glass rods until they became malleable. Holding the rods, the craftsmen turned, stretched and shaped them with a series of skilled movements, transforming ordinary glass into exquisite liuli works. This craft, known as "sculpting in fire", filled the students with curiosity.

Under the craftsmen’s patient guidance, the students began to try making liuli themselves. They carefully picked up the glass rods, held their breath in front of the blowtorch, and imitated the craftsmen’s movements of turning and stretching. At first, their movements were clumsy and they felt a little nervous, but as they became familiar with the properties of the glass, they gradually mastered the skills and immersed themselves in the production. Although the flame was scorching, no one gave up and everyone carefully completed each production step.

For these foreign visitors, it was the first time they felt the charm of "sculpting in fire" — the originally hard glass became as soft as sugar in the fierce flames, and gradually turned into a unique shape with their breath and ingenuity. "This is amazing!" A German young man held his newly finished liuli work, his eyes full of surprise. "In Germany, we also have glass craftsmanship, but China’s lampworking liuli is more like dancing with fire, full of unknowns and expectations every second."

While learning liuli making, the students also asked the craftsmen about the historical origin and inheritance of Zibo liuli, gaining an in-depth understanding of the cultural connotation behind this intangible heritage skill, as well as the Chinese craftsmen’s dedication and perseverance to their craft. They said that this experience not only allowed them to learn a new skill, but also deepened their understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

At the end of the activity, all the students left with their hand-made liuli works, full of gains. This trip to Zibo Liuli Studio built a bridge for communication between Chinese and foreign youth, allowing German students to feel the charm of Chinese intangible heritage up close, and enabling the traditional Chinese liuli craft to be better spread in cross-cultural exchanges.