CHENGDU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Amid the resounding buzz of cicadas, a young man strolls gracefully through the dense bamboo forest in the city of Chongzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province, delicately wielding a folding fan.
His name is Oliver Jones, and for six years now, he has made his home in Sichuan, having left his native London. Jones has frequented Chongzhou on numerous occasions in his capacity as a foreign assistant at the Tongzilin International Community.
"Initially, I believed bamboo was solely a beloved treat of pandas. Upon my arrival in Sichuan, however, I discovered that locals relish it in hot pot, an entirely novel experience for me. It was my wife who revealed to me that this was but the tip of the iceberg when it came to Chinese bamboo culture, igniting within me an insatiable curiosity about the subject."
Jones' enthrallment with bamboo began eight years ago. In 2015, he departed his hometown of London to pursue studies in Australia, where he encountered his future wife, who hails from Sichuan.
After completing his university education in 2018, he decided to settle in Sichuan with his wife. It was during his tenure at the Tongzilin International Community that Jones was presented with numerous opportunities to delve deeper into the intricacies of bamboo culture.
His first encounter with Chongzhou, while on a work assignment in 2021, captivated Jones. Chongzhou's verdant expanse of bamboo and exquisite bamboo weaving artworks have since prompted him to revisit the city time and again.
The purpose of his most recent visit to Chongzhou was to participate in the "Incredible Bamboo" experience. This collaborative endeavor, spearheaded by multiple local authorities, aimed to offer foreigners an immersive exploration of bamboo culture. The participants were expertly guided through cultural encounters centered around bamboo and bamboo weaving.
Jones said that the exhibit which left the most profound impression on him was a bamboo bicycle crafted by Indian artist Amey Sali, in collaboration with local Chongzhou artist Abu. The diverse range of applications for bamboo and its significance in people's lives left him astounded.
In fact, a millennium ago, bamboo culture had already permeated every facet of Chinese society. Due to its rapid growth and adaptability, bamboo played an integral role in the origins and development of ancient Chinese transportation tools and infrastructure. The ingenious use of bamboo enabled the construction of bamboo carts, rafts, boats, and even bridges by the ancient Chinese.
"While I was aware that bamboo is a plant indigenous to China, it was only through this event that I came to realize its profound cultural significance. The 'Junzi' character associated with bamboo by the Chinese people brings to mind the quintessential 'gentlemanliness' prevalent in my homeland, England."
Throughout its extensive history, the Chinese have cultivated and utilized bamboo, imbuing it with a unique spiritual essence. Bamboo has become synonymous with integrity, resilience, and open-mindedness. Scholars throughout the ages have personified its exquisite moral sentiments and noble character.
The bamboo art village of Daoming Township, in Chongzhou City, Sichuan Province, has been renowned for its bamboo craftsmanship since ancient times, producing bamboo artworks since the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It holds the distinction of being a national intangible cultural heritage as well as a nationally recognized geographical indication product.
During the event, Jones seized the opportunity to try his hand at bamboo weaving on porcelain for the first time. He marveled at the instructor's skill and the impressive array of crafts on display. Throughout his time in China, he has consistently sensed the vastness, Jones said. ■
