The University of Macau’s Moon Chun Memorial College Dom Pedro V House successfully held a traditional sugar painting cultural experiential workshop on March 5, 2025. The activity focused on the intangible cultural heritage of sugar painting and attracted 10 students. Through practical operation and cultural exploration, the students deepened their understanding of traditional handicrafts and improved their cultural self-confidence and ability to inherit these skills.

The workshop was divided into three parts: cultural explanation, sugar painting production experience, and artwork display. Resident Assistant Ying Yifan demonstrated traditional techniques using sugar as ink and a spoon as a pen. Students attempted to sketch patterns such as Nezha and Aobing on smooth marble slabs. They actively exchanged information about the history of sugar painting and explored its evolution over different periods. By documenting the production steps and reflecting on their experiences, the students mastered the methods of inheriting intangible cultural skills.

Many students expressed that the activity allowed them to appreciate the profound heritage of Chinese culture and felt inspired to become disseminators of traditional culture. Zhang, a participating student, remarked, “Sugar painting is not only a sweet memory of childhood but also made me realize that every piece of sugar silk carries a thousand years of wisdom. This activity helped me understand that traditional culture requires the innovative expression of young people to be rejuvenated.”

Text: Yifan YING