As world leaders gathered for the SCO Summit in Tianjin this week, the real showstopper wasn’t just geopolitics—it was the city’s living cultural heartbeat. 🌸 From woodblock prints to clay sculptures, Tianjin’s intangible heritage became a universal language connecting global delegates.
Pakistani researcher Zoon Ahmed Khan dove into the Yangliuqing Woodblock New Year Prints, where peonies symbolize wealth and pomegranates promise fertility. 🖌️ 'Each stroke feels like decoding ancient emojis,' she laughed, blending tradition with Gen-Z flair.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Salionova Alina shaped clay into life at Clay Figure Zhang studio. 'These aren’t just figurines—they’re 3D history books,' she said, crafting a Tang Dynasty merchant that could’ve walked straight out of a K-drama. 🏺
The cultural feast peaked with jasmine tea ceremonies, where floral aromas sparked conversations as warm as the brew. ☕ 'This cup holds Tianjin’s soul—elegant yet unpretentious,' remarked a delegate, proving that diplomacy tastes better with shared traditions.
Through SCO’s lens, these crafts aren’t just Instagram-worthy (though #ClayArt is trending 📸). They’re bridges showing how heritage fuels resilience and creativity—values every nation recognizes. As one artist put it: 'Our hands speak different languages, but our hearts beat the same rhythm.' ✨
