Young Tibetans keep traditional handicraft alive

Some Tibetan artisans in Southwest China's Sichuan Province have risen to that challenge and are passing on their traditional handicraft.

Nowadays preserving cultural heritages and traditions is on everybody.s lips but still proves to be quite a challenge in modern society. Some Tibetan artisans in Southwest China.s Sichuan Province have risen to that challenge and are passing on their traditional handicraft.

Baiyu County in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze has long been famous for its handicraft of metal work. The products are exquisite and useful in everyday life. In 2005, the traditional handicraft was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

This artisan is only 28 but has been practising the handicraft for over 2 decades!

Genquudanzhen, Artisan, said, " I started learning the craft from my father when I was 6. I never get tired of it. My father used to teach other children too, especially from poor families, and that.s what I love to do now. I.m happy to do it because I really love the traditional craft."

And he is not alone. In order to encourage more young people to learn the folk art, local authorities set up a school, providing scholarships and subsidies to the students in 2011. So far a group of 112 young artisans have graduated from the school.

Even more encouraging is the fact that their artistry is highly appreciated and improving their lives. This local store, also opened in 2011, is a retail outlet for the work and helps them reach more customers.

Zewengongbu, Store Manager, said, "The store has been open for nearly a year and a half and things have been really good. We have earned about a million Yuan. Our work has had some really good feedback from customers. I think it will only get better and better. "

Their products have sold to various countries and are especially popular in Bhutan, India and Nepal.