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Shanghai Week puts past in spotlight
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Shanghai Week is not only spotlighting the host city's virtues at the 2010 World Expo, but also reminding people about its past.
The event includes local-style artistic performances, as well as shows featuring traditional culture and skills, providing audience members a variety of enjoyable experiences.
The Intangible Cultural Hereditary Traditions Pavilion has been decorated in Shanghai's traditional "Shikumen" style of housing, harking back to the atmosphere of yesteryear. Walking down the old style streets, visitors can observe typical local breakfast staples like deep fried twisted dough sticks and soya bean milk.
After the morning meal, visitors can move over to the traditional culture and skills display area. Available crafts include jade carving, bamboo carving, and micro-carving, giving the crowd quite a selection from which to choose.
One of the sections showcases ivory carving. Visitors can clearly see artists working on the strips with extreme care. The professionals say the pieces are much more fragile than bamboo, so extra attention must be given during the creative process. Craftsmen normally work on a plane to prevent breakage.
This round fan is known as "Perfect Conjugal Bliss." Seeing such pure and transparent color put together with unbelievably precise carving skills, not only surprises crowds, but also generates appreciation for the grace of the artwork.
Chen Hailong, ivory carver, said, "This ivory carving skill was lost during the Qing Dynasty. We did research about it during the late '80s. Now our craftsmanship is much more mature after 20 years of research, and our artworks have gained top prizes in several nationwide artwork competitions."
Visitors might feel tired after viewing so many works of art, so they can stop by the Kai Si Ling Bakery to taste some delicious cakes, or sip some afternoon tea. Inside this shop, visitors also have a chance to look at some classic Shanghai antiquities, including an acoustic gramophone, black-and-white TV, and local brand watches. All give the crowd a distinct impression of the old city.
