Recently, at the Internationalen Handwerksmesse / ZUKUNFT HANDWERK (International Craft Fair / Future Craft) organized by the Bavarian Craft Association in Munich, Germany, Wei Zixin, a teacher from the School of Cultural Heritage of Beijing City University (BCU), won the 2026 Bavarian State Craft Award (Bayerischer Staatspreis 2026) with her contemporary jewelry piece "Unbearable Lightness."

The Bavarian State Craft Award is one of Germany's most influential professional awards. Established in 1952 by the Bavarian State Government, it is the highest state-level honor in the field of crafts in Bavaria and is presented annually at the International Craft Fair in Munich. The award aims to recognize creators who have made outstanding contributions to design, craftsmanship, and innovation. The jury, composed of top international designers, artists, and industry experts, rigorously evaluates the creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural value of the entries.

The piece "Unbearable Lightness" uses the language of contemporary jewelry art and exquisite traditional craftsmanship to explore the tension between matter and spirit, tradition and modernity. It not only demonstrates profound cultural depth but also, through innovative material use and structural design, provides an inspiring practical example of the integration of craftsmanship and contemporary art, earning high recognition from the jury.

This award for a teacher from BCU is not only an affirmation of her exploration that integrates traditional craftsmanship with contemporary art but also a presentation of BCU's achievements in arts and crafts design on the international stage. BCU will continue to expand international exchanges and cooperation, actively promote the interaction between traditional crafts and global cultures, and build a broader platform for the inheritance and innovation of traditional crafts.