A group of middle school students engaged in research studies enters the non-material cultural heritage exhibition hall in Boxing, Binzhou, guided by a teacher specializing in intangible cultural heritage. As the teacher vividly narrates, the study team embarks on a wonderful journey through time and space. Their fingers glide over the intricately patterned tiger-head shoes, where the stitches, imbued with blessings and wisdom, hide intricate secrets—crafted from yellow cloth with colorful threads forming whiskers, and within the “Wang, or king” character of three horizontal and one vertical line lies a thousand-year-old code for blessings and good fortune. The students occasionally widen their eyes in amazement and nod frequently—“My grandma used to make these tiger-head shoes!” Such interactions bridge the gap between ancient craftsmanship and young learners, breathing new life into traditional skills through youthful perspectives.
In recent years, Boxing County has deeply promoted the transformation of government functions, using the construction of a culturally strong county as a focal point to solidly advance the development of immersive public cultural spaces, continuously enhancing the level of immersive public cultural services. The Boxing Cultural Center, as a national pilot for the “Immersive Urban Storytelling” project and a leading unit for nationwide construction and promotion, has established the “Cultural Center + Cultural Academy” model, becoming a vibrant source of immersive cultural experiences and a notable new cultural landmark.
Strengthening Team Building and Aggregating Cultural Academy Faculty
By gathering diverse forces from departments, streets, communities, and social organizations, including inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, cultural volunteers, and retired teachers, a service team for immersive public cultural spaces has been formed. A cooperative platform between cultural centers and schools has been established, aiming to create a “Lifelong Aesthetic Education School for the People.” This integrates life experiences, entertainment, and cultural experiences, igniting the new influence of immersive services.
Focusing on Unique Empowerment to Stimulate Cultural Heritage Vitality
Leveraging the advantages of the cultural center, the county has deeply explored its intangible cultural heritage resources, reshaping the “Boxing Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall” to display over 1,000 culturally significant products such as rush and willow weaving. Through the layout of exhibits, historical displays, and engaging narratives, combined with participatory, interactive, and educational attributes, visitors transform into participants, enjoying an immersive “flow” experience.
Expanding Service Areas to Ignite Cultural Benefits for the People
The county actively explores new business forms such as “Immersive + Education,” “Immersive + Tourism,” and “Immersive + Rural Revitalization.” It organizes inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and experts to enter classrooms, establishing bridges for supply and demand connections. Over 200 immersive intangible cultural heritage science classes have been created, recognized as excellent practical cases of intangible cultural heritage in schools in Shandong Province, and awarded among the top ten “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Schools” initiatives in Binzhou City. This diverse cultural offering greatly enriches the spiritual world of the community.
