Ancient birch bark craft enjoys revival under tutor

HARBIN - One man's trash is another man's treasure. This is especially the case for Tao Dandan, who collects pieces of birch bark dumped by wood processing plants and creates handicraft with them using only a chisel and a pair of scissors.

Archaeological studies have found that birch bark culture dates back more than 3,000 years, and is found mostly in China, Russia and Japan, and other countries with an abundance of birch forests.

Traditional birch bark crafts are still practiced by nomadic ethnic groups living in Northeast China. However, as people increasingly bid farewell to the peripatetic lifestyle, the art form is at risk of being lost forever.

Tao teaches birch bark crafts in the College of Fine Art and Design at Heihe University in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province.