Qixia Dragon Dance, Nanjing Intangible Cultural Heritage

　　Nanjing, a city with a long history, is rich in cultural heritage. Among them, Qixia Dragon Dance, as a part of Nanjing intangible cultural heritage, is deeply loved by the general public.

　　Qixia dragon dance originated from ancient folk dance and has a long history. As early as the Ming Dynasty, farmers in Qixia area began to perform dragon dances to show their respect in order to celebrate the harvest and thank the gods. After hundreds of years of development, Qixia Dragon Dance has gradually formed a unique performance style and become an important part of Nanjing's intangible cultural heritage.

　　Qixia Dragon Dance has a unique performance form and varied dance movements. The dragon body is made of bamboo strips, and the appearance is covered with colored paper or satin, which is lifelike. When dancing, dragon dancers wear traditional costumes and perform with dragon balls in their hands. With the cooperation of gongs, drums and horns, dragon dancers jump, roll and entangle, and interpret the dragon to the fullest. The performance of Qixia Dragon Dance was spectacular, and the audience cheered and shared this joy and celebration.

　　In the cultural heritage of Nanjing, Qixia Dragon Dance has a high historical and cultural value. It not only inherits the ancient folk dance skills, but also reflects the customs and cultural characteristics of Nanjing. In addition, Qixia Dragon Dance has a broad mass base and is deeply loved by the public. Every year in traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival, the dragon dance performance in Qixia area will attract many audiences to stop and watch, which has become a highlight of Nanjing folk culture.

　　However, with the changes of the times and the acceleration of modernization, Qixia Dragon Dance is also facing some challenges. The younger generation's understanding and interest in traditional culture is gradually weakening, and the problems such as lack of inheritance talents and insufficient capital investment restrict the inheritance and development of Qixia Dragon Dance. In order to protect and inherit this precious cultural heritage, the Nanjing Municipal Government and all walks of life should strengthen cooperation and support to provide a strong guarantee for the inheritance and development of Qixia Dragon Dance.

　　First of all, the government should increase financial support for Qixia Dragon Dance. The government can set up special funds to support the inheritance, performance and publicity activities of Qixia Dragon Dance. At the same time, the government can also introduce relevant policies to encourage enterprises, social organizations and individuals to actively participate in the protection of Qixia Dragon Dance and form a diversified investment mechanism.

　　Secondly, strengthen the inheritance and training of Qixia Dragon Dance. By popularizing the cultural knowledge of Qixia Dragon Dance in primary and secondary schools, we can improve the younger generation's understanding and interest in traditional culture. At the same time, training bases are set up in communities and villages, and old artists are invited to train the younger generation, so as to cultivate more talents.

　　Thirdly, promote the innovation and development of Qixia Dragon Dance. Encourage literary and art workers and folk artists to innovate and adapt on the basis of retaining traditional elements, so as to make Qixia Dragon Dance more contemporary and ornamental. At the same time, Qixia Dragon Dance is combined with other folk culture to enrich its expression and content.

　　Finally, strengthen the external communication and publicity of Qixia Dragon Dance. By holding cultural exchange activities and participating in international art competitions, more domestic and foreign audiences can understand and appreciate the charm of Qixia Dragon Dance. At the same time, the use of new media and other modern means of communication to expand the popularity and influence of Qixia Dragon Dance.

　　In a word, Qixia Dragon Dance, the intangible cultural heritage of Nanjing, is a treasure of Nanjing culture with high historical and cultural value. Only through the joint efforts of the whole society can this traditional art form be inherited and developed and continue to add luster to Nanjing culture.