Hakka people, conservative and hard-working, are a reflection of
the spirit of Shenzhen, a melting pot for migrants from all over
China, according to Yang Honghai, chairman of the local folk
culture society.
Shenzhen's first Hakka Culture Festival, which runs until the
end of the month, offers gala shows, a photography and painting
exhibition, lectures and cooking demonstrations to promote unique
Hakka traditions. Two shows featuring Hakka songs and dances will
be held Friday (Dec. 29) at the Futian District government building
conference hall and Yantian Plaza in Yantian District
respectively.
Painters from Dafen Village and photographers in Longgang are
exhibiting more than 200 works -- around the theme of Hakka
people's daily lives, cultural traditions and homes -- at Shenzhen
Citizens' Center until Saturday.
"With nearly 2 million Hakkas, who have lived in Guangdong for a
long time, and nearly 10 million migrants from around China,
Shenzhen is the right place to promote the Hakka spirit of
endeavor, endurance and their support for each other," Yang
said.
Hakka people also focus on educating their children and remain
faithful to their roots and unique culture.
Yang said it is essential for local young people to rediscover
the value of traditional Chinese culture and learn to appreciate
various folk arts.
"We are collecting authentic Hakka mountain songs in Longgang,
Dapeng Peninsula and other parts of Yantian, where most Hakkas
live, so that they will not fade with time.
Some Hakka musicians like Rao Rongfa and Wang Yougui are also
trying to innovate using the mountain songs and adding modern
elements for today's young audiences."
In fact, a reformed style of Hakka songs and dances is becoming
popular among primary schools and kindergartens in Longgang
District.
Huang Chongyue, researcher with the Shenzhen Museum, said at a
seminar during the culture festival that preserving the Hakka
villages and residences in Longgang District is one of the local
government's primary tasks.
"We can develop tourism by exploiting folk culture resources.
But the main concern is to preserve the architecture."
Chen Shisong, a Hakka researcher from Sichuan Province, referred
to the successful exploitation of Hakka culture resources in Luodai
Township, Chengdu City. He underscored the importance of overall
planning by a high-quality research institute and initial
investments by the government.
Hakka people first moved to Longgang District during the Song
Dynasty (960-1279) and more than 100 traditional round Hakka homes
still survive.
The Longgang Hakka Folk Culture Museum, also called Hehu New
Residence, is the largest Hakka residence in Shenzhen. Built in
1817, it covers a sprawling 25,000 square meters. Hehu New
Residence was added to the provincial protection list in 2002.
(CRI.com December 27, 2006)