Ningbo, the birthplace of the ancient legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, or butterfly lovers, applied yesterday to the United Nations to be included on the "World Intangible Cultural Heritage" list.
Scholars from a number of organizations, including the China Art Research Institute, the China Folk Culture Society and the China Folk Art Association, gathered in the city yesterday, where they unanimously supported the application.
The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is one of the finest works of ancient Chinese folk literature, regarded as the oriental version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Originating during the Jin Dynasty (265-420), the legend tells of a love story between Liang and Zhu.
Zhu was the daughter of a wealthy family. She was sent to school disguised as a boy. During her three years at school, she became friends with her classmate Liang and secretly fell in love with him. Unfortunately, Zhu's father suddenly summoned her back, saying that he had found her a husband. Zhu was reluctant to go, but had no choice. Liang was unable to discover the truth until Zhu had left. He hurried to Zhu's home, asking for her hand in marriage, but was refused and thrown out. In despair, Liang fell sick and died. Zhu was broken-hearted when she heard the news. She ran away from home and visited the grave of Liang on the day of her marriage. Suddenly, the sky became dark. Liang's grave opened. Zhu threw herself into it. It was said that both Liang and Zhu turned into butterflies and lived happily together.
Local historical records claim that Liang was a county magistrate in Yingxian district in Ningbo about 1,600 years ago. He died of a fatal disease aged only 21, but because of his kindness, hard work and honesty, he lived on in the legend.
"The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is one of the most widely spread legends in China. It is deeply rooted in the Chinese folk tradition, and has always been close to the heart of ordinary people," said Zhang Shanqing, vice-president of the China Art Research Institute.
Handed down from generation to generation, today the story has been widely told in the form of operas, traditional paper cuts, violin and bass drum music. In Ningbo, more traditional wedding culture based on the story has also attracted young couples.
"All these well meets the requirements for the United Nation's world intangible cultural relics, which specifies that the applying relic must be deeply rooted in the local traditional culture; that it must manifest the special value and characteristics of an area; that it has great potential for further development; and that it requires protection," said Zhang.
(China Daily January 8, 2003)
