Firming up folklore's foundations

"With her extensive research experience and broad academic perspective, Wang is in communication and collaboration with research institutions and experts domestically and internationally," Qu says.

"She has also undertaken many significant research tasks closely linked to overseas contacts, laying a solid foundation for the smooth running of this project."

The series includes many precious images, documents and texts that Qu says showcase the richness of Chinese folk culture.

"Due to the advanced age of the materials, and tasks such as translating foreign-language documents, compiling color illustrations and reproducing original texts, the editing and proofreading were challenging, and the restoration and design of the images were time-consuming and labor-intensive," Qu says. "However, the team and project group overcame these difficulties, persevered in their efforts and contributed to the rescue of cultural heritage held in different parts of the world."

He believes the publication of these initial achievements will allow more people to understand and come to love China's folk culture.

"The series will promote a greater emphasis on the study of documents and artifacts in Chinese folklore studies. It will also provide new research materials for disciplines, such as historical anthropology, bibliography, cultural relics and linguistics, and the research produced by overseas Sinologists will open up new perspectives on folklore research," Qu says.

Thierry Meynard, a professor with the philosophy department of Sun Yat-sen University, says that he is especially drawn to a book titled Collection of Japanese Artifacts Detailing Trade With China During the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

"I believe that this kind of book is meaningful. It's informative, and the layout is also exquisite," the French national says.