Digital Empowerment, A Cultural Calling Card! Shaanxi Association's Ansai Waist Drum Team Shines at the Great Northwest Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange
Translated from the Shaanxi Association of Canada WeChat article
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/zKrYXOb1aPKSnLOGuzuQgQ
[Shaanxi Association Bulletin] On the afternoon of March 28, 2026, the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange for Literary and Art Figures of China's Great Northwest," hosted by the Preparatory Committee of the Canada International Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo, concluded successfully at the Canadian National Art Museum in Toronto. The event brought together chamber of commerce and fellow-association representatives as well as renowned artists from Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang and other regions to discuss the overseas inheritance and digital innovation of Chinese intangible cultural heritage.
Inheriting Intangible Heritage: Ansai Waist Drum Shines on the Mainstream Stage
As one of the highlights of the exchange, the Ansai Waist Drum Team of the Shaanxi Association of Canada was invited to attend and gave a wonderful presentation. Team leader Amelia said in her remarks that the team, founded in early 2024, has become one of the most recognizable "cultural calling cards" of the Shaanxi Association of Canada. Amelia spoke movingly about the team's milestones in multicultural community building: praise from the mayor — at the association's 25th anniversary celebration, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow personally donned a waist-drum costume and joined the performance, and praised the paper-cutting gifted by team members as a "treasure."
Mainstream endorsement: the team has frequently performed as the opening act at major celebrations such as the Dragon Festival and Canada Day, earning an outstanding public reputation.
Amelia emphasized that the key to the team's frequent, high-quality rehearsals and performances lies in the Shaanxi Association's unwavering commitment to sharing Shaanxi's intangible cultural heritage with the world, sparing no effort to prevent the loss of Chinese intangible cultural heritage amid globalization.
Cross-disciplinary dialogue: where digital technology meets ancient art.
Dr. Wang Yueqing of Xidian University, a specialist in digital intangible heritage, delivered an in-depth talk titled "Digital Intangible Heritage Brings the World to Life; VR Makes the World More Wonderful," exploring how cutting-edge technology can elevate cultural experiences. Guzheng artist Qin Ziwen then performed the classic piece "Fisherman's Song at Dusk," presenting a panoramic view of the guzheng's artistic heritage.
Planning together: the 2026 Expo is on its way.
Hannah Yu, chair of the Preparatory Committee of the Canada International Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo, co-chair Gao Rudong, executive chair Wang Gang and others attended the event. According to the organizing committee, the grand "Canada International Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo" will be held in Toronto from October 1 to 6, 2026, featuring six themed exhibition zones covering traditional crafts, digital intangible heritage, heritage cuisine and more — dedicated to building a cultural-industry cooperation platform connecting Canada, China and countries around the world.
This exchange was not only an artistic feast but also a concentrated showcase of Great Northwest cultural strength in North America. As team leader Amelia put it, through brand endorsement and the emotional power of art, Shaanxi culture is achieving genuine sustainable development within Canada's multicultural communities.
Comments