Enjoy Tai Chi and Health Together

——The series of activities marking the second anniversary of Taijiquan’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has been officially launched

On December 17, 2022, under the leadership of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and jointly by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Henan Province and the People’s Government of Jiaozuo City, a series of activities were organized for the Second Anniversary, thereby Taijiquan was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: “Enjoy Tai Chi and Health Togetherright‘ was officially launched in Chenjiagou, Wen County, Jiaozuo.

Jiang Jiding, the chairman of the Taijiquan Professional Committee of the Chinese Society for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the secretary of the Party Leading Group and the head of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Henan Province, Zhou Yaoxia, the member of the Party Leading Group and deputy head of the Department of Culture and Tourism Tourism of Henan Province and representatives of the heritage of Taijiquan attended the event. Jiang Jiding gave a speech opening the event.

The event released a series of cultural interaction content and cultural and tourism initiatives for the common good, such as the “Global One Hour Taijiquan Exercising Plan”, “Free Public Welfare Teaching Month of Taijiquan Masters”, “100 Calligraphers Write Taijiquan Couplets to the World”, and “An Image of China National Taijiquan”. Under the artistic direction of Zhang Yimou, the event also officially heralded the world premiere of Impression Tai Chi, a masterpiece of immersive experience that has taken four years to perfect. At the opening ceremony, the heirs of the seven communities of taijiquan gathered online to congratulate global taijiquan lovers and invited people from all over the world to work together to promote the legacy and promotion of tai chi culture.

Starting from Chenjiagou, it has been performed in more than 70 cities in China and more than 20 countries around the world, with the style and form modified from the Taijiquan flash mob. The heirs of Taijiquan and hundreds of young internet celebrities responded and actively participated, which has led to a debated discussion on global mainstream social media platforms. The worldwide Taijiquan enthusiasts brought their blessings back to the birthplace of Taijiquan – Chenjiagou through their videos. This world-renowned event is not only the influence of Taijiquan, but also the charm of Chinese culture.

In the evening, 1,000 drones took off in the Chenjiagou night sky, lighting up the night of Taijiquan with a visual feast combining technology and art. The magnificent light and shadow performances such as Tai Chi Graphic, Tai Chi Rabbit, “Celebrations for the Second Anniversary Making the Inscription of Taijiquan on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” and “Walking in Henan and Understanding China” brought the event again to a climax.

In recent years, China’s excellent traditional culture has gone viral, and Chinese elements have been frequently presented abroad, giving the world a great opportunity to observe China. The reason traditional culture is fashionable is determined by its rich heritage and unique charm, the core of which is the cultural symbols and national spirit behind traditional culture.

The Chinese leader pointed out that demonstrate the unique charm of Chinese culture to enhance the national cultural soft power. Taijiquan, as one of the representative elements of mankind’s intangible cultural heritage, is connected with the vein of Heluo culture, the root of Zhongyuan culture and the soul of Chinese culture, and has built a bridge of human-to-human communication in the world with the benefit of intercultural communication through physical practice.

Henan, China, with the responsibility of preserving and promoting Tai Chi culture, is moving forward to tell the story of excellent traditional Chinese culture and popularize Chinese culture to the world.