From February 18 to March 2, 2010, Shanghai Folk Craftsman Performance Delegation made up of 19 folk craftsmen from Baoshan Oriental Folk Arts Center participated in the 2010 “Happy Spring Festival” celebration in San Francisco, U.S.A. to showcase citizens and visitors there the diversified and interesting traditional Chinese handicrafts and promotional photos of Expo 2010.

  Folk handicrafts bring Shanghai charms
  On the afternoon of February 20, the delegation made its debut at Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Fifteen handicraftsmen showed their fabulous skills: an ordinary piece of paper was changed into a fascinating paper cutting in the blink of an eye in the hands of Yang Haidi; white sugar was brought to life as tigers, dragons and goats in just a dozen of seconds by Chen Yushu; other traditional Chinese folk arts including grass weaving, Chinese knotting and cloth art also impressed Americans and won big applause.

  Strengthen Sino-America friendship through daily activities
The delegation took part in nine folk arts and crafts shows and Expo promotion activities at Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Chinatown and other venues. Besides, they were invited to a live TV show by a local influential Chinese TV media.

  At the spring festival reception party held for Chinese children adopted by American families on the afternoon of February 27, two folk performers displayed their special paper cutting and dough figurine skills, and presented their works as gifts to children on the scene. Other presents including Expo mascot “Haibao” and cloth tigers were also popular among the children.

  Expo promotion image demonstrates great appeal
  From February 27 to 28, the Lantern Festival Street Fair at Chinatown received 0.5 million visitors. The delegation’s 100-meter-long show stalls, decorated with Expo promotional flags and photos, with inflatable “Haibao” standing at both ends and live “Haibao” figure strolling down the street, turned out to be eye-catching attractions. In the float parade in the evening of April 27, “Haibao” was also seen waving at audiences on the float streetcars unique to San Francisco.

   The Shanghai folk arts and crafts performances in the U.S. fully displayed the colorful and profound riches of traditional Chinese culture and made itself a highlight of the “Happy Spring Festival” gala.