Chiping Black Pottery, a magic art spanning thousands of years

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Over the last three decades, Chinese archaeologists have undertaken four excavations at the Longshan Culture Site in Jiaochangpu, Chiping, where a variety of almost 1,000 pieces of pottery, stone and bone relics have been unearthed.

Among them, the three pottery kilns excavated in 2001 remain the most complete cluster of Longshan Culture in China, constituting a valuable source of cultural relics for research into the socio-economic patterns of that period.

Research by archaeologists has found that the abundant black potteries treasured in the Chiping District Museum in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, were produced some 4,000 to 5,000 years ago during the Longshan Culture Period.

“They are elegant in shape, simple in pattern and mysterious in origin,” according to the Information Office of the Chiping County People's Government in a statement.

The raw material of Chiping Black Pottery is the pure and delicate red clay soil beneath the unique riverbed of the Yellow River. 

Chiping Black Pottery is fired in an age-old Sealing-Smoking-Carburizing process after first undergoing numerous steps including manual washing, jiggering, drying, trimming, calendering, engraving and polishing. 

To inherit and develop such a Chinese treasure as black pottery, Chiping Black Pottery makers have, since the mid-1990s, dedicated themselves to examining the techniques of the black pottery craft, enabling the establishment of the Liaocheng Black Pottery Academy, followed by the Chiping Taoyuan Black Pottery Art Co Ltd.

-- BERNAMA

Intercultural Innovation Hub calls for projects promoting inclusive, diverse society

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Intercultural Innovation Hub, a joint initiative between the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group, is calling for projects that promote an inclusive and diverse society.

In a statement, UNAOC said organisations promoting diversity, integration and social inclusion are invited to become part of the hub and benefit from comprehensive support to expand the social impact of their projects.

The Intercultural Innovation Hub is focused on supporting projects that promote gender equality, counter violent extremism, hatred, and prejudice, and advocate for art, culture and sports as vectors for social cohesion and diversity via financial support for sustainable growth.

It also provides a one-year capacity-building programme and membership to the “Intercultural Leaders” community.

To leverage the social impact of the selected projects, up to 10 finalists will receive up to US$20,000 each to help their initiative scale up sustainably, UNAOC said. (US$1=RM4.74)

In addition, UNAOC and BMW Group, with the support of Accenture, will provide the recipients with a year-long series of capacity-building workshops and customised support.

Interested organisations should submit their applications before Dec 2, 2022, at www.interculturalinnovation.org.

Since 2011, UNAOC and the BMW Group have worked with leaders and organisations from around the globe to tackle intercultural challenges through social innovations.

-- BERNAMA

Sun Hung Kai Properties' Hong Kong Cyclothon returns on Dec 18

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The highly anticipated Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon is making a return after four years this Dec 18, announced the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

In a statement, it said thousands of cyclists, comprising professional athletes and cycling enthusiasts, would buzz through the streets of Hong Kong as the cosmopolitan city is transformed into a racetrack for the 50km and 30km ride, as well as four other races.

The most popular event, which is the 50km ride that will start and finish on Tsim Sha Tsui’s Salisbury Road, will see participants crossing three bridges and three tunnels in the city, including the spectacular Tsing Ma Bridge.

The route will take the cyclists through Mongkok, the heart of the city, to the outlying island of Tsing Yi, providing an exclusive opportunity for the participants to enjoy the city’s signature cityscape, surreal nature and accessible infrastructure, it said.

It also stated that Hong Kong has kicked off a strong line-up of popular international sports and entertainment events earlier this month, including the “New World Harbour Race” with over 1200 swimmers making a splash in one of the world’s busiest harbours with the backdrop of Hong Kong’s spectacular cityscape.

In addition, the “2022 Hong Kong Sevens” is returning to Hong Kong Stadium from Nov 4 to 6.

In the flagship sports event of the city, 16 international men’s teams, including Hong Kong, will compete in this year’s tournament at Hong Kong Stadium with the popular national teams of Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa, Team Great Britain and Samoa.

Tickets are already on sale for the soon-approaching landmark event, as Hong Kong prepares to welcome the city’s most thrilling weekend of the year.

-- BERNAMA