Yunnan University seminar held on Dai pottery

A seminar on the rich and innovative pottery designs of the Dai ethnic group kicked off at the Donglu campus of Yunnan University, or YNU, on Nov 18, according to university officials.

They said the event, which will last one month, was hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and YNU -- and organized by the School of Art and Design of YNU.

Officials said the seminar is part of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Training Program, which was jointly launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The craft of making pottery of the Dai ethnic group was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage item in 2006.

The seminar aims to train more professionals in the craft.

A total of 20 inheritors and practitioners for making the Dai pottery are participating in the seminar, from Xishuangbanna, Lincang, Dali and elsewhere.

Participants include people from the Dai, the Lahu, the Hani and the Bai ethnic groups.

The training will last for a month, during which more than 20 experts and professors will give lessons, including instructors from Tsinghua University, Yunnan Arts University and YNU.

A seminar on the innovative pottery designs of the Dai ethnic group kicks off at the Donglu campus of Yunnan University on Nov 18. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]