The Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art at Tianjin University has been awarded the prestigious title of “National Model Unit in Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection” by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This accolade, part of a nationwide selection emphasizing grassroots contributions, recognized 100 organizations and 198 individuals for their exemplary work in safeguarding China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Named after renowned Chinese writer and cultural scholar Feng Jicai, the institute has been a hub for research and cultural preservation since its establishment in 2001. It has made significant contributions to Chinese cultural development, particularly in literature, arts, and intangible heritage protection. Key national and provincial research initiatives are housed within the institute, which has established multiple influential research platforms, including the China Woodblock New Year Prints Research Center, the Chinese Traditional Villages Preservation and Development Center, and the Asia Intangible Cultural Heritage Theory Research Center. These platforms have generated numerous academic achievements and policy recommendations, bolstering the institute’s standing in both academic and cultural circles.

In 2021, the Feng Jicai Institute was awarded China’s first interdisciplinary master’s program in Intangible Cultural Heritage Studies, welcoming its inaugural class in 2022. The program reflects Feng Jicai’s guiding philosophy to integrate fieldwork with academia, fostering talent in cultural heritage preservation. Alongside Tianjin University’s various departments, the institute has also established five field teaching bases across China to support hands-on learning, embodying Feng’s approach to “taking the classroom to the field.”

By: Qin Mian