On June 12, the first arts and crafts masters contest in Tibet kicked off in Tibet Ethnic Art Research Institute, according to Tibet Daily. The contest is aimed at protecting and rescuing traditional arts and crafts, the first of its kind in Tibet.

The Arts and Crafts Masters Contest in Tibet is held every five years. Thirty-six candidates have been approved out of 38 applicants by the ad hoc committee for this year's contest. The candidates are from eight arts and crafts industries, including carving, textile printing, embroidery, knitting, carpet making, smithcraft and Thangka, etc. The contest lasted for three days from June 12 to 15, during which time the ad hoc committee graded them according to their on-site performances, comprehensive evaluations and qualification verifying.

"We are all waiting for the results that would come out in a few days," said Tsewang Gyaltsen, a clay sculpture artist from Nagqu, who is listed as arts and crafts master of Tibet Autonomous Region on its government website. When asked about his motive to apply for the contest, Gyaltsen added that he joined because he wanted to demonstrate his handicrafts to more people and make clay sculpture known as widely as he can.

With handicrafts inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from across Tibet competing for the title of "arts and crafts master in Tibet", the contest is in full swing now, which will end the history that Tibet had no arts and crafts masters of its own.