China Hopes through establishing "Cultural Heritage Day" to Restore Cultural Self-Confidence

CHP: China Heritage Update 20 Sept 2005

Based on the proposal of several members of the Political Consultative Committee, China is now considering establishing a "Cultural Heritage Day" in order to change the entire nation's attitude towards traditional culture. According to the law, establishing a "Cultural Heritage Day" is to be decided by the national government. Unlike France and other European nations, China prefers to select a well-known traditional festival day, such as Dragon Boat Festival Day, for celebrating "Cultural Heritage Day". This is really good news. We eagerly await the government's decision on this matter.

During the 60s and 70s, when the "Proletariat Great Cultural Revolution" was unfolding, China's traditional culture was severely wounded. When the passion of "Destroy the Four Olds, root out the remnants of feudalism" had not yet completely passed from the scene, while the wounded culture had not yet been restored to health, we Chinese embarked on the era of "Reform and opening". In this "Reform and opening" era, which began in the late 70s and has carried on until today, Chinese people's economic level and freedom of thought and speech were all greatly improved. Nonetheless, one of the terrible consequences of a long period of national isolation, poverty, and dictatorial rule was that many people developed a negative attitude towards their own cultural traditions. From the 90s, China clearly lost a consciousness of its own cultural roots, and cultural self-confidence disappeared. An ever increasing number of Chinese, including the top leadership of the Communist Party, began to express strong dissatisfaction and unease with this state of affairs.

The loss of cultural self-confidence and the destruction of cultural heritage are caused by many factors. The strengthening of education and training of government officials, carrying out cultural heritage work strictly according to the law, and tough punishment of corrupt elements, are all critical measures for protecting cultural heritage. The establishment of a "Cultural Heritage Day", although it cannot directly lead to strengthening of cultural self-confidence, or directly and effectively stop the destruction of cultural heritage, it is nonetheless a big step in the right direction! Because of this, all those who are concerned with cultural heritage protection should be delighted.

Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP)
http://www.bjchp.org

Suite 2308, Building 5
East Zone 1, Tiantong Garden,
Dongxiaokou Town, Changping District,
Beijing, 102218, China
Telephone: +86 10 61768040, +86 13366082836
Email: information@bjchp.org