Raising awareness
The exhibition hall at Nanmofang shows the development from an agricultural area to an urbanized and modernized place, reflecting radical changes in the past decade. Nanmofang is indicative of changes nationwide.
In 1949, only 10.6 percent of China was urbanized. In 2011, the population in urban areas accounted for 51.27 percent of the total population, according to a report published by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on Tuesday.
Along with the rapid urbanization is a drastic change in people's lifestyle, said Lü Bin, a professor in urban-planning at Peking University.
"Outsiders see the change in villages or in numbers, but urbanized people feel the effects on life."
From heatable kang to electric blanket, hearth to gas and induction cookers, rural cultural relics vanish in this process. Most things exhibited in museums are already extinct.
Pointing to a small kettle-like container, Li Jinan said that it was once used to boil water .
"It is small, and the water is boiled quickly above fire," she said. Now people use water dispensers and electric kettles.
Nationwide, there is a rush to preserve these relics. Similar efforts, though scattered, have been made in provinces like Anhui, Henan, Hebei and Hubei.
Fifteen farmers from Funan county, Anhui Province, completed a museum in 2008, after years of effort. The museum holds over 1,100 items ranging from traffic and farming tools, to show development.
"More people realize the importance of protecting rural heritage and culture, a historical feat of thousands of years," Shi Jinming, director of Shanxi Museum told the Global Times. "This move should be encouraged."
Looming difficulties
Nanmofang's museum now boasts over 1,800 exhibits. According to Li, most items are donated by local residents, with some bought in from other rural areas.
An old dressing table in the hall, with quotations from Chairman Mao printed on the cabinet doors and mirror, was a valuable item donated by a local resident this year.
But the job is getting difficult, as urbanization pushes forward.
"Old and traditional appliances are dwindling in numbers and vanishing. Some are more expensive than before, as owners realize the value." Gao Chao said.
He added that they have to visit places in other provinces like Shandong and Hebei to collect larger pieces, increasing the overall cost.
Currently, all the museums are free to the public. Funding is the biggest problem.
As reported, the museum in Funan is supported by donations, after the 15 initiators contributed to the initial capital. Even for Nanmofang, which is sponsored by local government, the cost of maintaining the exhibits is daunting.
"We need support from superior authorities," Gao said.
These museums are not mature in terms of exhibitions, the design, or the classification of exhibits.
Gao admitted that they learn from larger museums like China Agriculture Museum.
"We listen to suggestions from both visitors and experts, and we are expanding the exhibitions," he said.
In an interview with China Culture Daily. Wei Mingkong, a professor at CASS, suggested that these museums take advantage of tourism and hold exhibitions to increase income and sustainability.
Shi Jinming called for more support from relevant departments. "Urbanization is endangering the agricultural culture," he said. "The job is urgent."
Source: Global Times
Print
Save