By Jin Lu

A new collection of Ningbo's culturally inspired merchandise recently took center stage at the United Nations headquarters in New York and at Columbia University, showcasing the elegance of Eastern art through modern interpretations of intangible cultural heritage.

Exhibits included oil-paper umbrellas inspired by the twenty-four solar terms and embroidered eye masks, offering international audiences a glimpse into Chinese tradition reimagined for modern life.

The twenty-four solar terms, inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list, was the main theme of the exhibition. A collection of Song dynasty-style porcelain pieces, each representing one of the solar terms, was showcased at the event. Featuring Chinese characters that indicate the corresponding solar term, the collection beautifully combined traditional craftsmanship with seasonal symbolism.

Titled "Cultural Exchange and Harmonious Coexistence", the exhibition featured more than 100 works by inheritors of China's intangible cultural heritage (ICH), skilled artisans, and cross-cultural designers. Ningbo-based MIC ICH Cultural Management Co. played a leading role in organizing the showcase. Xu Kezhuo, an executive at the company, said the creations represent "a lifestyle rooted in Oriental aesthetics" and serve as a bridge for global cultural dialogue.

The exhibition drew strong interest from international viewers. Marco Suazo, Head of UNITAR's office at the United Nations in New York, praised the solar-term oil-paper umbrellas, saying: "These works are not only rich in cultural meaning but also very stylish. I truly love the creativity and craftsmanship behind them."