Gan Liming, a Xinyi-native and inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage item Liushuang lanterns, completed building the Xinyi Lantern Exhibition hall in May.

Gan first started building the exhibition hall at his own expense in March. It covers an area of more than 300 square meters. At present, the first floor of the pavilion is set up as the Xinyi Liushuang lantern exhibition area, the second floor is reserved for a national lantern exhibition hall, and the third floor is a lantern innovation and creative studio.

This exhibition hall not only showcases the local folk culture, but also creates favorable conditions for protecting and inheriting this renowned form of lantern art. It will also serve as a hub for the research and development of traditional lanterns.

Gan said that he invested in the lantern exhibition hall because he aimed to display traditional and innovative lanterns through the museum, attracting more public attention to the ancient folk, as well as bolstering the protection and inheritance efforts of traditional lanterns art.

Gan is also a member of the Chinese Folk Artists Association and vice-chairman of the Xinyi Lantern Culture Association.

He followed his grandfather to learn how to make Liushuang lanterns since he was a child. At the age of 16, he had mastered the craft. In 2016, he gave up his high-paying job and returned to Xinyi to devote himself to inheriting the art of Liushuang lanterns.

People show their Liushuang lanterns. [Photo/Maoming Daily]