A series of themed cultural and promotional events were held during Shandong Week from Sept 16 to 20. The week-long activities were part of Expo Milano 2015 and were held to showcase the province’s long-standing agricultural civilization and achievements through exhibitions, cultural performances and economic and trade exchanges.

Foreign visitors to the Chinese Pavilion are impressed by Yangjiabu New Year painting works, a centuries-old folk art from Yangjiabu village, Shandong’s Weifang city. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The province showcased samples of its many cultural heritages at the expo, including two millennia-old Weifang Kite, 600-year-old Gaomi paper-cuttings, Yangjiabu woodprint New Year paintings, gourd carvings, Dongming grain paintings and Weifang dough figurines.

The hand-made gourd carving display attracted throngs of visitors during Shandong Week. The gourds, which represent a source of life and are a kind of mascot for traditional Chinese culture, signify blessings and best wishes in Buddhism and Taoism, according to Sun Xizhou.

When the China Pavilion opened to public in June, gourd carvings were presented to distinguished Italian guests as a national gift.

Han Guorui, a folk artist of Dongming grain painting, explains methods of the folk art to Italian visitors. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The reception of Dongming grain painting among Italian visitors has been somewhat of a novelty. Some foreign visitors were so curious of the folk art that they insisted on learning techniques from Han Guorui on site.

Wang Yongxun, a kite-making master and vice chairman of the Chinese Kite Flying Association attended Shandong Week along with some of his artworks. Wang said that Weifang kites have gained a word wide reputation for its profound Chinese cultural connotation and the skilled craftsmanship involved.

The kites have been exported throughout Europe, America, Australia and Southeast Asia. Local kite flyers were invited to take part in competitions and invitational tournaments in Asia, Europe and America, to expand their presence in overseas contests and markets.

Wang hoped to seek more cooperation opportunities and promote Weifang kites in Italy.

Expo Milano 2015 is being hosted by the city of Milan in Italy from May 1 to October 31, 2015. Its theme is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” The China Pavilion is the second largest foreign pavilion built by the participating countries themselves. It has the theme, “Land of Hope, Food for Life.”