Feng Jicai, vice chairman of the China Association for the
Promotion of Democracy, called yesterday for more efforts to
protect village culture as the country goes through the processes
of "building
a new socialist countryside," one of the primary tasks of the
11th Five-Year Guidelines for National Economic and Social
Development (2006-2010) currently under discussion by China's
legislators.
Feng, a writer and painter who is well-known for his devotion to
protecting and preserving Chinese folk culture, made the remarks
during the Fourth
Plenary Session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),
China's top advisory body, currently taking place in Beijing.
In an interview with china.org.cn on Monday, Feng said: "Our
cultural roots are in the rural areas because China is essentially
an agricultural country. The rural population accounts for over
two-thirds of the country's total. The intangible cultural heritage
and cultural diversity we talk about are found mainly in the rural
areas. And more so for ethnic minority culture as most of the
ethnic minorities live in rural areas. If their cultures are lost,
they will be lost.
"I am worried that unless effective protective measures are
implemented, we will have a situation where there are no cultural
differences. Because of the modernization drive in cities, they all
look the same, very monotonous. If rural areas just follow suit, it
will be a big loss for our country," Feng added.
He?said that village culture includes folk customs, folk
literature and traditions practiced in different places.
"I've been investigating the various folk cultures. I visited
many places, and discovered many cultures and traditions whose
existence I never even knew. I feel that in the rural areas, what
your know is always much less than what you don't know," he
added.
Feng acknowledged that the government has been trying to enhance
the protection of folk culture over the last two years. The State
Council, for example, has declared the second Saturday of June
Cultural Heritage Day to promote the importance of protecting folk
culture.
"However, it is far from enough. Villages are disappearing as we
speak. The village you saw one day could become a Roman-style
garden the next day. Many villages in east China's
Jiangsu and
Zhejiang provinces have changed a great deal in recent years.
Many villages have lost their history and memories. In addition, a
large number of cultural heritages are on the brink of extinction
because they haven't been passed on to succeeding generations.
"As society transforms, it seems inevitable that some culture
will be lost. Government support to protect folk culture is
crucial, especially support from local governments."
During his research into the folk cultures in seven provinces
last year, Feng discovered that Wuyuan County, located in the
northeast of
Jiangxi Province, is a good example of how folk culture can be
effectively preserved. It is home to some of the most well
preserved ancient architecture in China. The Hui-style ancient
buildings, with their pink walls and black tiles, emerge from among
the emerald green mountains, clear rivers, green trees and paths
that crisscross through the fields and paint a picturesque
landscape. Some photographers have described it as the most
beautiful village in China.
"More important, architects have been contracted to develop
building designs based on the old designs. Anyone wanting to build
their own house must use one of these designs. When visitors look
at Wuyuan from a distance, the first thing they will notice is its
harmonious beauty. The people of Wuyuan have found a balance
between protecting their folk cultures and keeping pace with
modernization."
Feng said that a seminar on ancient villages will be held in
April in Jiaxing of?Zhejiang. "We have invited village heads
and scholars to attend the seminar. We want to promote the 'Wuyuan
experience'."
Profile of Feng Jicai
Born in 1942, he joined the China Association for the Promotion
of Democracy in 1981. He began his painting career at the Tianjin
Calligraphic and Painting Studio. In the 1970s, he taught at a
Tianjin school for arts and handicrafts. From 1986 onward, he
became more prominently involved with writers' associations. He
also worked with the Tianjin branches of the Chinese Society for
the Study of Folk Literature and Art as well as the Chinese
Writers' Association. He now serves as chairman of the Tianjin
Federation of Literary and Arts Circles, vice chairman of the 11th
Central Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of
Democracy, vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and
Arts Circles, and Standing Committee member of the CPPCC.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Qian, March 7, 2006)
