The municipal government of Tianjin
is planning to invest 100 million yuan (US$12 million) annually for
the next seven years to protect and develop folk culture and art,
said Zhao Wanxiang, deputy director of the Tianjin Municipal
Culture Bureau.
Zhao was speaking on Monday at the opening session of a four-day
seminar on protecting and developing Yangliuqing woodblock New Year
pictures. This form of art, for which Tianjin is famous, is one of
the most highly respected styles of traditional New Year pictures
in China.
Zhao said that a museum will be established next year in Tianjin
to house outstanding folk art, including Yangliuqing New Year
pictures.
Yangliuqing New Year pictures originated in the town of
Yangliuqing, in the western suburbs of Tianjin, in the early 17th
century. Artists combine techniques of woodblock printing and hand
painting. City cultural officials have been working to preserve the
art since the late 1950s.
Liu Jianchao, president of the Tianjin Yangliuqing Fine Arts
Press, said that his company has collected over 6,500 antique New
Year picture woodblocks, with the oldest dating back to the Ming
dynasty (1368–1644).
A selection of antique woodblocks and some vintage New Year
pictures were put on display for the first time in the city at the
seminar.
Liu said his company has employed 95 professional artists to
make Yangliuqing pictures. Their work has been exhibited in more
than 20 countries, including the United States, France, Australia,
Singapore and Japan as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region and Taiwan Province.
Yangliuqing New Year pictures generally feature ancient
beauties, children and folk customs or stories from classical
operas, myths and legends.
(China Daily August 31, 2004)