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Postcards from a trip in China: Shanghai and Kazakh Crafts in Xinjiang
Dear friends of Voyageuses Paris,
Felicie en Chine les rues de shanghai Felicie à Shanghai
Just back from two weeks trip in China, I wanted to share my discoveries of Kazakh crafts and impressions with you.
I began with a few days in Shanghai — my heart city, where I lived for 10 years with my family until 2021, and where Voyageuses Paris (then CHINOISES) was born in 2018.
la famille de Felicie à Shanghai La famille de Felicie à Shnghai les rues de shanghai
I made the most of it to see friends, visit our workshops, go to the flea markets, and wander through a city I love so much — so authentic and modern at the same time. Cycling through the city is my favourite way to get lost in the old town or discover the "lanes" of the former French Concession, where Art Deco houses hide behind washing lines, fish drying in the sun and tangles of electric cables… Despite some difficult recent months, the city is as dynamic and inspiring as ever, and the Shanghainese as warm and spontaneous as I remembered!
Félicie à Shanghai Voyageuses Paris à Shanghai Voyageuses Paris à Shanghai les puces de Shanghai les rues de shanghai Porte de shanghai les puces de shanghai robe chinoise vintage à shanghai les puces de shanghai
The highlight of the trip was an invitation from the Chinese Government to discover the craftsmanship of the Kazakh minorities, living just a few kilometres from Kazakhstan in the province of Xinjiang. This province shares a border with 8 countries (Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan…) and is one of China's 5 "autonomous regions".
The Kazakh minorities have their own customs and craftsmanship rooted in their history, religion and geography — deeply shaped by the surrounding Eastern cultures and countries.
en route pour le xinjiang aller dans le xinjiang epices de chine repas Kazakh en Chine ateliers de broderies kazakh artisanat kazakh
I had the privilege of witnessing their traditions at a vibrant, colourful wedding, admiring their embroideries and the goldsmithing used in equestrian harnesses, their felt rugs… So many beautiful things I hope to bring back to share with you through Voyageuses Paris! Though it will take time to coordinate — they don't speak Mandarin, only Kazakh! One of the days was dedicated to talking with these artisans — through an interpreter — about ways to promote their craftsmanship beyond their province. An incredibly enriching exchange that ended in an endless selfie session with these wonderful women, blondes with blue eyes being something of a rarity in those parts! :)
artisanat kazakh epices de chine artisanat kazakh artisanat kazakh artisan kazakh artisanat kazakh artisanat kazakh en Chine artisane kazakh artisanat kazakh
We ended the trip with a night in a traditional Kazakh tent, in the middle of the Tangbula grasslands, where our hosts had set a table straight out of the Thousand and One Nights and prepared a gargantuan feast — which we honoured surrounded by embroidered cushions and colourful hangings, singing and dancing well into the night!
habitat kazakh en chine Felicie voyage en Chine frontiere Kazakh frontiere kazakh en chine artisanat Kazakh diner Kazakh en Chine artisanat Kazakh de Chine
A magnificent journey, a true immersion in China… I can't wait to go back, this time with my children, who are deeply envious that I went without them!
Félicie
China travel Kazakh crafts, Xinjiang
