[Video/Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property]
A video titled "The Renew of Wenzhou's Intangible Cultural Heritage: Drum Lyrics Integrated with Modern Music Technology" has won the People's Choice Prize at the World Intellectual Property Day 2025 Youth Video Competition.
The entry was a joint effort by Tongji University's Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property and the Department of Basic and Social Education.
The competition, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), attracted over 400 participants from 67 countries. Young creators explored the theme "Tuning in with the music of innovation and creativity". Twenty entries were selected for the finals, with prizes given for first, second, and third places, as well as the People's Choice Prize.
Fang Zheng, the creator of the winning video, is a music enthusiast from Tongji University's affiliated experimental school. His project blends traditional Wenzhou drum lyrics, an ancient Chinese folk art, with modern music technology.
His work explores the preservation of cultural heritage, technological ethics, and artistic possibilities. Chinese youth are contemplating the boundaries between intellectual property protection and creative freedom while showcasing China's rich culture and modern vibrancy.
Wenzhou drum lyrics, a dialectal rap form, was declared a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, but the art form is fading. To preserve it, Fang apprenticed with master instrument maker Zhou Xiulin.
Fang combines traditional instruments like the Niujinqin with modern ones such as the piano and synthesizers, creating a unique sound. He also uses AI-generated music for inspiration, exploring technology's role in enhancing creativity.
