As dawn breaks over Jingdezhen's skyline, smoke curls from centuries-old kilns in the city known as China's "porcelain capital." This week, the hum of international dialogue joined the rhythmic clinking of ceramic artisans at the Global Mayors Dialogue, where leaders from historic pottery hubs like Türkiye's Iznik and Italy's Faenza gathered to discuss cultural preservation through shared craftsmanship.
Clay as a Common Language
Mayors exchanged strategies for balancing modernity with tradition, revealing how cities worldwide leverage ceramic heritage to foster economic growth and cross-cultural understanding. "When we hold a shard of Jingdezhen porcelain, we touch 1,000 years of human stories," remarked one participant during the forum.
Innovation in the Kiln
Beyond conference halls, young artists in converted studio spaces reimagine Ming Dynasty designs through contemporary lenses. At the iconic Imperial Kiln Institute, master craftsmen demonstrate how ancestral techniques now produce cutting-edge materials for global tech industries – from aerospace components to medical devices.
A Living Legacy
As night falls, the glow of modern electric kilns blends with traditional wood-fired ovens, symbolizing Jingdezhen's enduring relevance. With new international partnerships emerging from the summit, this Jiangxi Province city continues shaping humanity's ceramic narrative – one fired vessel at a time.
