Foreign volunteers in Sanya experience Li pottery craftsmanship

Recently, the foreign volunteer service team in Jiyang district visited the Sanya Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop for a cultural exchange event. Visitors from around the globe had the chance to get close to the ancient art of Li pottery, immersing themselves in the unique cultural heritage of Sanya and fostering multicultural connections.

Foreign volunteers learn to make Li pottery. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

Li pottery, a treasured national intangible cultural heritage from Hainan, serves as a cultural ambassador, sharing the local ethnic stories of Sanya with the world. During the event, a Li pottery artisan guided the foreign volunteers through the exhibition area and pottery workshop, using each rustic piece to narrate its historical development.

The artisan explained each traditional step involved in creating Li pottery and shared the practical uses and symbolic meanings of different items, offering insights into the Li people's customs embedded in the clay and craftsmanship.

What followed was a hands-on Li pottery DIY session. To help the foreign volunteers get started, the artisan demonstrated basic techniques like clay kneading and patiently explained key pottery-making skills and design ideas. Filled with curiosity and passion, everyone dove into crafting their own Li pottery pieces.

Through this hands-on experience, the volunteers gained a deep appreciation for the living legacy of intangible cultural heritage. They expressed their eagerness to become international ambassadors for Sanya's Li pottery culture.