Source: CCTV.com

06-10-2007 15:01

Special Report:   Cultural Heritage Day

China's effort to revive its rich cultural heritage is gathering momentum. A full range of exhibitions and performances is marking Saturday's "Cultural Heritage Day," with handicrafts and regional operas taking the center stage.

This woman from the Tujia ethnic group in Sichuan Province never thought she would live to see a day like this. When, as a teenager, she decided to study this traditional brocade, the only thing on her mind was to make a beautiful piece of dowry -- exactly as her grandmother, mother, and aunts had done before her. But today, she is being honored with the title of "folk artist," even though she seldom wears such ornate clothes now.

Dozens of people like her have gathered for this comprehensive exhibition at the Millennium Monument Museum. When their skills were praised, many of them became as confused as they were flattered.

Paper-cutting, wood prints, marionettes, these are only some of the items on display here. But modern life is increasingly pushing these hand-made objects to the wayside.

Jin Zhilin, professor of China Central Fine Arts Academy, said, "I often go to Shaanxi Province, where almost every woman is an expert at paper-cutting. But in recently years, I see fewer and fewer windows decorated with these hand-made paper images.

For young people, paper-cutting is out of fashion. They just don't bother to learn it."