FOSU & IFTM Hand-in Hand for Culture and Heritage Field Study

Invited by FOSU, Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) students carried out a 5-day field study tour with the theme of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Foshan from 19 October to 23 October, 2023.

Students and teachers from both institutions visited various places associated with intangible culture heritage (ICH ) items in the city as well as FOSU, such as University Student Dragon Boat Training Base in FOSU, Foshan Ancestral Temple, Lingnan Xintiandi, Zhonglian Wong Fei-hung Dragon Boat Lion Dance Training Base and Chishan Village in Lishui County. Students learnt the origin and contribution of ICH items to the cultural protection and development of the city, including the Dragon Boat Racing (Jiujiang Traditional Dragon Boat), paper cutting (Guangdong), Nanhai ash sculpture, Shiwan pottery sculpture craftsmanship, clay sculpture craftsmanship and Lion Dance (Guangdong). They also got a chance to learn how these ICH items are manifested in the tangible forms, as well as their current safeguarding measures in Foshan. They also got a chance to have hands-on experience with various ICH items in person, such as joining a dragon boat racing and experiencing the making of clay sculpture with the guidance from the masters. During the  visit to Zhonglian Wong Fei-hung Dragon Boat Lion Dance Training Base, a group of young apprentices demonstrated the customs and Kung Fu steps related to Lion Dance performances, inspiring the students with the current ICH transmission efforts in Foshan among the younger generation.

FOSU and IFTM have been offering dual degree in Tourism Business Management Programme since 2022.