Discover traditional culture

An article by Chen Jibing in the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post compared the ¡°imported¡± Western festivals with traditional Chinese festivals, and highlighted the need for the protection and re-discovery of Chinese traditional culture.

In the past two decades or so, China has made remarkable achievements in its economy and greatly improved its democracy and rule of law. However, just as noted by sociologists, in any civilization economic changes are the easiest, systematic changes are harder and cultural evolution is almost impossible except over a long period of time.

While in Western societies almost all important festivals are directly related to Christianity, the majority of important festivals in China are the results of an agricultural civilization.

The essence of the modernization process in the West since the Renaissance and Enlightenment has freed mankind from the control of God, but the cultural resources of the Christian tradition that are conducive to the development of a modern society have been preserved and given full play in the new environment.

After more than 100 years of effort, China has basically converted from an agricultural to an industrial society and is now advancing towards modernization. What we should learn from the Western experience is the importance of protecting, re-discovering and creatively converting the cream of traditional Chinese culture. This task not only concerns the ¡°reinvigoration¡± of Chinese civilization but also constitutes the final process of our modernization.

Culture can help business

An article by Shan Shibing in the Beijing-based China Business Times suggested that businesses should have a stronger understanding of the cultural meaning Spring Festival carries.

Surveys have found that the railways, telecommunication companies, catering and tourism industries were among the biggest profiteers during the past Spring Festival.

This indicates that, from a cultural perspective, the festival consumption of the general public still remains at a low level and the added value of the Spring Festival has not increased.

Rich in cultural meanings, the Spring Festival is more than just a time to spend. It is also an occasion when people identify with Chinese culture. However, in the expanding ¡°Spring Festival economy¡± of recent years, we have seen businesses employing various tricks to get money from consumers¡¯ pockets.

With the development of society, new cultural characteristics need to be added to the Spring Festival. In fact, cultural departments alone cannot satisfy the public with just a number of entertainment activities. It has been reported that the cultural market during the festival failed to meet the market need. The folk culture of the Spring Festival can promote particular types of cultural consumption. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve business people¡¯s understanding of the cultural essence of the Spring Festival.

(See ¡°Old ways never die¡±, page 4, for more)