Four individuals from Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province have recently been honored as national intangible cultural heritage representative inheritors, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Kong Lingli (front) is an inheritor of the commemoration of Confucius in Quzhou. [Photo/WeChat ID: quzhouta]

Kong Lingli, a direct descendant of Confucius, is a representative inheritor of the commemoration of Confucius in Quzhou. He has dedicated himself to passing on the ancient ritual by integrating it into modern life, encouraging folks – especially young people – to participate in the ancient ceremony.

Zeng Lingbing from Changshan county in Quzhou is recognized for his mastery of the Changshan Hecai Ballad, a kind of folk vocal art form. He’s not only preserved the essence of the traditional art, but has also revitalized the ancient ballads by innovation – ensuring their relevance in contemporary times through over 40 years of dedication.

Wu Qingguo is a representative inheritor of the Xi'an Gaoqiang, a traditional form of opera in Quzhou and an ancient performance form of Wuju Opera. With nearly 35 years of experience, Wu has starred in over 20 Wuju Opera classics and performed on international stages in countries like Singapore and Spain.

Xu Wenkui is an inheritor of the Quzhou white porcelain firing techniques. [Photo/WeChat ID: quzhouta]

Xu Wenkui, a master of the Quzhou white porcelain firing techniques, has been practicing for 54 years. His works have won dozens of important awards. His commitment to heritage protection has led to over 600 public events being staged over the past five years.