“You’ll get the chance to read books, watch videos, check maps, and find displays - all about the cultural heritage.” The Intangible Heritage Space “West Lake Legends” was launched on March 17, together with the kick-off of the heritage publications show. Liu Dong, Director of Hangzhou Public Library, said public library can serve as a treasure trove of the city’s cultural heritage and a platform for heritage communications. The blending of library and heritage elements is a new practice for the creation of cultural spaces.
The library is a designated “guardian” of the “West Lake Legends”, a state intangible heritage project. The cultural space after its name, characterized by heritage publications, consists of zones each for display of heritage texts and the books on “West Lake Legends.” The host also presented woodblock printing and woodblock watercolor printing skills for hands-on experience.
”Everyone could be a storyteller and preserver of the West Lake Legends,” said Liu. To give full play of the library’s heritage resources, Liu and his associates, since last October, had been making plans on fostering a specialized heritage exhibition space for travelers and culture seekers. They are making the library a regular access to the mystery of cultural heritage, like the legends on and around the West Lake. They will work closely with social agencies to probe into the core of such legends, and write and perform themed theatrical plays on them.
A property with You Benchang’s signature was donated by Jigong Foundation. You himself is an actor that is widely considered the best role-player for the legendary monk. Lin Huamiao, a senior porcelain artist, also donated his heritage artworks on the “West Lake Legends.”
Hangzhou Public Library also signed an agreement with Mao Weitao Art Center, Capacity Unlimited Technology, and Jigong Foundation for the writing and staging of themed shows. The agreement will, with free drama education and new play production, bring a new look to those legends. In short, such legendary figures, like Jigong and Lady White, will take center stage again in a brand new guise.