Folk Straw Handicrafts Ranked at China Peasant Art Festival

It was reported that at the first China Peasant Art Festival, the Korean folk straw crafts from Helong City made a strong impression on the audience. As one of the four outstanding village products selected by Jilin Province, these traditional crafts were showcased on stage and received positive feedback from visitors. The event highlighted not only the cultural value of the art but also its growing recognition on a national level. During the exhibition, several high-ranking officials visited the Helong booth, including the Vice Premier of the State Council, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu, Deputy Minister Wei Chaoan, Li Fusheng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Jilin Provincial Government, Ren Kejun, Deputy Director of the Provincial Agriculture Commission, and Yu Wenbo. They showed great interest in the intricate straw sculptures and even observed the process of crafting by local artist Cui Shunzi. The leaders praised the efforts of Wolong City and emphasized the importance of preserving and further developing this unique Korean traditional craft. The Helong Municipal Government, along with the Helong Agricultural Bureau and Toudao Town Government, actively participated in the event. They arranged for detailed filming of the straw weaving process and distributed over 2,000 flyers to promote the craft. A promotional video was also broadcast during the festival, helping to raise awareness about the industry's potential. This effort marked a significant step toward expanding the reach of Helong’s straw crafts beyond the province and into the national market. Notably, representatives from the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing expressed strong interest in the Helong straw crafts. They praised their rich cultural heritage and distinctive national characteristics. As a token of appreciation, the Shangyu and Longshi Agriculture Bureaus donated a set of straw artworks, which will be permanently displayed in the exhibition hall. At the closing ceremony of the first China Peasant Art Festival, the Korean straw handicrafts from Helong City were honored with the “China Farmers’ Art Festival One Village One Product Outstanding Project” award, marking a milestone in the recognition of this traditional craft. This achievement not only highlights the cultural significance of Helong’s straw crafts but also signals a promising future for the preservation and development of this unique art form. With continued support and exposure, Helong’s traditional Korean straw weaving is well on its way to becoming a symbol of regional identity and craftsmanship across China.