Year-ender: Top 10 cultural events from 2023

2. Traditional Chinese cultural elements shine at Hangzhou Asian Games

Highlighting the humanistic aspect of Hangzhou Asian Games, Chinese cultural elements were showcased in many aspects.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival this year coincided with the 19th Asian Games, mooncakes, jade rabbits and the osmanthus scent could be seen and smelled in every corner of the Asian Games Village, and a series of galas and interactive activities were held, allowing participants to fully experience the festive culture.

In addition, the Culture Center in the media village of the Games not only showcased traditional Chinese culture, such as seal carving, fan-making and woodworking, but also offered interactive experiences like 3D interactive Baduanjin Qigong exercises, herbal plant tie-dyeing and making of sachets stuffed with Chinese herbal medicine.

What's more, the torch of the 19th Asian Games – named the "Eternal Flame", featured patterns and motifs from ancient Chinese culture. Among these design elements, the elaborate swirls on the body of the torch were based on the evolution of the Liangzhu culture, which are shaped like dermatoglyphic fingerprint patterns.

Besides, a notable innovation for this Asian Games is the floral vessel. Drawing inspiration from Huagu, a broad-lipped, long-stemmed vessel from the Southern Song (AD 1127-1279) Imperial Kiln, Dongyang Wood Carving, which is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, crafted this vessel.