Binhai ICH shines at film festival

Taiping gourd pyrography works from Binhai New Area, Tianjin. [Photo/WeChat account: tjbhxqfb]

Since its opening, the CMG Film Culture Carnival's Tianjin special market at Binhai Cultural Center has drawn steady crowds, showcasing local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items to visitors nationwide.

At the market, repair artisans demonstrated the art of ceramic stapling—drilling staples into cracked porcelain and restoring pieces with gold powder.

A miniature boat model and hand-drawn blueprints at the Dagu ship model booth displayed precise mortise-tenon joints and rigging, recreating the region's fishing history.

Nearby, tree‑root‑shaped pottery, crafted from clay through shaping and carving, amazed visitors with their lifelike textures.

According to craftspeople, the carnival has significantly expanded their audience. The Dagu ship model representative noted that daily inquiries about custom orders and techniques from out‑of‑town tourists now exceed a dozen, far beyond the usual local history enthusiasts and students.

A Taiping gourd pyrographer created new patterns inspired by a film, which became a hit, while young visitors shared production clips on social media, drawing purchase inquiries from other provinces — a shift from relying solely on local store sales.

The Binhai Cultural Center reported rising daily visitor numbers. Representatives of several local intangible cultural heritage traditions have entered preliminary talks on cooperation in cultural product development, online promotion, and out‑of‑town performances, extending their reach to Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, and beyond.

The festival has not only offered a national window into Binhai's heritage but also brought traditions closer to younger generations through interactive experiences.