Recently, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the sixth batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritors, totalling 942 individuals, with 75 from Zhejiang Province. Among them, 5 from Zhejiang Open University (ZOU), including inheritors of folk literature, traditional dance, traditional opera, traditional craftsmanship, and folk customs, received this honour.

ZENG Lingbing, an alumnus of 2018 Law programme, studied at Changshan College of ZOU. He is a representative inheritor of folk literature, specifically the Changshan Cheers Ballad (a centuries-old folk ballad performed during festive occasions), recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Hailing from a family of carpenters, this heritage inheritor has not only mastered five generations of exquisite woodworking skills but also infused modern innovative mind into traditional craftsmanship. With a pioneering spirit, he has revitalised traditional art, ensuring its continued relevance in contemporary times. Over four decades of dedication, he has redefined traditional carpentry and set a benchmark for the protection of the country’s intangible cultural heritage.

LIN Changjiu, who was enrolled in ZOU’s Administrative Management (Rural Management) programme in 2023, currently studies at ZOU Taishun College. He is a representative inheritor of the traditional dance, specifically the Dragon Dance (or Dingbu Dragon, a traditional dance from Taishun County, Zhejiang Province, usually performed on stone steps over water, featuring over sixty routines), designated as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Influenced by his family from a young age, LIN Changjiu studied under LIN Shile, a national inheritor of Dingbu Dragon. For a long time, he has dedicated himself to promoting intangible cultural heritage. By showcasing the bold and agile artistry of Dingbu Dragon to the public, LIN is trying to inject new vitality into the contemporary practice of this traditional dance.

WU Qinguo, an alumnus of ZOU’s 2016 Administrative Management programme, previously studied at Quzhou Open University. He is a representative inheritor of the traditional opera, specifically Gaoqiang (Xi'an Gaoqiang, a folk opera style known for its loud singing, vibrant costumes, powerful drum and horn music, with strong local characteristics), recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Since joining the art world of the Wu Opera (also called Jinhua Opera, a traditional Chinese opera from Zhejiang’s Jinhua region) in 1990, WU Qinguo has become a leading figure through his exceptional acting and artistic dedication. Over three decades, he has starred in more than twenty classic Wu Opera plays, revitalising traditional opera with his expressive performances.

AI Jingwei, an alumnus of ZOU’s 2010 Administrative Management programme at ZOU Tongxiang College, is a representative inheritor of traditional craftsmanship, specifically the Blue Calico Printing and Dyeing Technique (a traditional craft from Hunan and Zhejiang, involving intricate processes like paper pasting, engraving, and dyeing, used to create fabrics for various household items), designated as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Guided by the principle of “preserving tradition while innovating,” AI has balanced heritage conservation with more modern adaptation. Through decades of exploration and practice, he has transformed this static cultural symbol into a dynamic cultural practice, inspiring younger generations to engage in the inheritance and innovation of this traditional craft. 

KONG Lingli, a 2022 graduate in ZOU’s Chinese Language and Literature programme, previously studied at Quzhou Open University. He is a representative inheritor of the folk customs, specifically the Confucius Commemoration Ceremony (or Southern Confucius Commemoration Ceremony, an annual music and dance ritual honouring Confucius), recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

As the 76th direct descendant of Confucius, KONG shoulder the responsibility of preserving and promoting the Southern Confucius culture. Through "integrating tradition with modernity," he ensures the ceremony’s evolution and further fosters creative reinterpretation and innovative development of this cultural heritage.

By ZOU