IFTM collaborated with Foshan University (FOSU) to carry out a 5-day field study with the theme of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Foshan, Guangdong Province from 19 to 23 October, 2023. This field study was initiated by Dr. Chen Zhaoyu, Vicky from the School of Tourism Management in IFTM, and Dr. Zhongyuan Xie from School of Humanities and Education in Foshan University with the support by the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office in FOSU.
FOSU is an educational partner of IFTM in Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) with offering joint Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Business Management. This time, 23 IFTM Cultural and Heritage Management Programme students and students from School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering and School of Humanities and Education in FOSU conducted the field survey to understand the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements and their protection and management in Foshan.
The group visited various places associated with ICH in Foshan, such as University Student Dragon Boat Training Base in FOSU, Foshan Ancestral Temple, Lingnan Xintiandi, Zhonglian Wong Fei-hung Dragon Boat Lion Dance Training Base and Chishan Village in Lishui County. Students learnt the origin and contribution of ICH to the cultural protection and development of the city, including the Dragon Boat Racing (Jiujiang Traditional Dragon Boat), paper cutting (Guangdong), Nanhai ash sculpture, Shiwan pottery sculpture craftsmanship, clay sculpture craftsmanship and Lion Dance (Guangdong). They also got a chance to learn how these ICH items are manifested in the tangible forms, as well as their current safeguarding measures in Foshan. They also got a chance to have hands-on experience with various ICH items in person, such as joining a dragon boat racing and experiencing the making of clay sculpture with the guidance from the masters.
During their visit to Zhonglian Wong Fei-hung Dragon Boat Lion Dance Training Base, a group of young apprentices demonstrated the customs and Kung Fu steps related to Lion Dance performances to the group, which inspired the students with the current ICH transmission efforts in Foshan among the young generations.
During the field study, the group conducted desktop research, in-depth interviews with the local ICH stakeholders and participant observations to investigate the current condition of the visited ICH comprehensively. On the last day of the trip, they shared their findings in FOSU, combining their knowledge learnt in class with the practical insights from this field trip in Foshan. Suggestions and strategies in safeguarding the ICH were proposed. It is expected that their input (as outsiders) can be a source of reference and inspiration for the Foshan ICH academics and practitioners.
As shared by a Macao local student Mr. Ka Son Tou, Harry “We are committed to continuously promoting the traditions of intangible cultural heritage, perpetually carrying forward the spirit of intangible cultural heritage, and enhancing its magnificence”. Another student Ms. Yizhi Yao, Jessica also added, “Our five-day trip to Foshan gave me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the ICH, meanwhile allowed me to practice the ICH concepts, safeguarding measures, and impact assessment that I had learned in class. Spending all these days together with my classmates allows us to establish a close relationship. Such experience is quite invaluable to me when I am in my final year of study in IFTM.”
Foshan is a city with rich ICH resources that construct the spirit of the place with unique cultural atmosphere. Macao, as a UNESCO World Heritage City, also has a wide range of ICH items that demonstrate the culture of the region. Such field study is meaningful for IFTM students to exchange ICH knowledge and practices in the GBA cities.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural and Heritage Management offered by IFTM is dedicated to the protection and transmission of cultural heritage under the guidance of international conservation practices. Through this kind of field studies, it is beneficial for both students in obtaining practical learning experience and the educational institutions in GBA in strengthening the cultural exchange and collaborations in the relevant field.IFTM, as a relying unit of the Tourism Education and Training Base for the GBA, it actively involved in the training and exchange activities in strengthening all-round cooperation among the partners in GBA. Culture as a key to tourism, it serves a critical role in bridging the cultural connections among the cities and regions within the territories. In the future, IFTM will continue promoting the establishment and sharing of innovative platforms with mainland universities, carrying out collaborative researches on science, technology, and cultural innovation, and continuously promoting cultural and academic exchanges.
