Shanghai named 83 folk arts as its first batch of city-level intangible culture heritage today as part of the city's efforts to protect and promote these "traditional treasures."

The popular "Huju Opera, Lion Dancing, Dough Modeling and the Longhua Temple Fair" can be found on the list, which has 10 categories -- folk music, dances, operas, folk art, acrobatics, handicrafts, medicine and folk customs.

The familiar Nanxiang xiaolongbao from Jiading District is also on the list.

Nine crafts out of the 83 were listed as China's state-level intangible culture heritage last year by the State Council, said a spokeswoman for the municipality.

They are Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera, Yueju Opera, Huju Opera, Jiangnansizhu (South traditional stringed and woodwind musical instruments), bamboo carving, Guxiu (Gu embroidery), Luogushu (singing and talking with traditional percussion instruments) and Wunijing cotton spinning handicraft.

"Though some on the list didn't originate in Shanghai, for example, Kunqu Opera and Peking Opera, Shanghai is carrying them forward," said the spokeswoman.

The city provides these immigrant arts with bigger stages and richer contents, she said.

Shanghai now has 18 theaters, stages or concert halls, some of which stage only Chinese traditional operas everyday, like the Yi Fu Theater on Fuzhou Road in Huangpu District. (For more stage information, please refer to live.shanghaidaily.com/entertain)

The decline of folk art is common throughout the country. To rescue and preserve intangible cultural heritage, the State Council listed 518 items in 10 categories.

The second Saturday of June is "National Cultural Heritage Day."
 
(CRI.cn June 9, 2007)