**Interviewer**: What can you tell us about the unique experience visitors had at the 18th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industries Expo on October 17?
**Staff Member**: During the event, we engaged visitors with a lively demonstration where they could create a scallion pancake doll. We asked them questions such as, “Would you like to add an egg? Do you prefer it runny or fried on one side? Can we include some green onions?”
**Interviewer**: Sounds interactive! What materials did you use for this hands-on activity?
**Staff Member**: We had everything neatly arranged on our display – eggs, green onions, pancakes, and a flat skillet. Our aim is to provide visitors with emotional value while they shop for cultural products. We want more people to discover and appreciate Hangzhou’s culinary culture.
**Interviewer**: It sounds like a vibrant event! What was the overall atmosphere like at the expo?
**Staff Member**: The expo kicked off at the Baima Lake International Convention Center, showcasing over 5,500 cultural brands from 68 countries and regions. This diverse gathering offered a unique range of creative and culturally rich experiences for the public.
**Interviewer**: Can you elaborate on the structure of this year’s expo?
**Staff Member**: Absolutely! We adopted a “1+20+20” format, with the main venue in Hangzhou and 20 subsidiary venues spread across various districts. Additionally, there are 20 activities focused on industry exchanges, seminars, and index releases. The main activities will continue until October 21.
**Interviewer**: Among the multitude of exhibits, were there any standout displays?
**Staff Member**: Yes! One of the highlights was a young cosplayer dressed in historical attire, attracting many visitors. They were showcasing our first anthropomorphized cultural relic product – the “Qingyan” doll, inspired by a 700-year-old vessel-shaped inkstone from the Zhejiang Provincial Museum.
**Interviewer**: That’s fascinating! How has the reception been for this product?
**Staff Member**: The doll garnered a warm reception among younger audiences when it was launched. We invited a cosplayer to help draw more attention to it, allowing ancient cultural artifacts to enter the mainstream in a more modern and engaging way.
**Interviewer**: What role does the expo play in cultural exchange and innovation?
**Staff Member**: The expo serves as a vital platform for showcasing the latest developments in the cultural industry, fostering international collaboration, and igniting cultural creativity. Since its debut in 2007, it has aimed to be a benchmark for an “international, thought-provoking, industry-leading, and consumer-focused” event, establishing itself as a prominent cultural symbol for Hangzhou.
**Interviewer**: This year, you had some new participants, correct?
**Staff Member**: Yes, we welcomed representatives from six countries, including Portugal, Ireland, and Egypt, for the first time. Over 550 overseas brands traded here, with more than 70% entering the Chinese market for the first occasion.
**Interviewer**: What about the artistic displays? Any highlights from the international cultural exchanges?
**Staff Member**: Certainly! The Egyptian section of the “Belt and Road” International Cultural and Art Exchange Exhibition drew significant attention, especially the papyrus painting booth. A 69-year-old Egyptian artist, Mohsen, was there creating personalized patterns on papyrus for visitors.
**Interviewer**: That sounds incredible! Could you tell us about the significance of papyrus art?
**Staff Member**: Papyrus painting is an ancient art form that utilizes the papyrus plant from the banks of the Nile. This technique has been around for centuries, allowing artists to create delicate and durable paper for writing and artistry.
**Interviewer**: How does Mohsen engage with visitors through his art?
**Staff Member**: He crafts designs based on each visitor’s name, aiming to draw more people into understanding Egyptian papyrus art. Mohsen has been honing this craft for 55 years and runs a popular handicraft shop in Cairo, which attracts many Chinese tourists. He expressed his excitement about visiting China for the first time and hopes to connect with artisans from around the world.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for sharing these insights! It sounds like a truly enriching event for both participants and attendees.
