Woodstock mud and China’s cultural future
- Source: Global Times
- [21:40 August 16 2009]
- Comments
Illustration: Liu Rui
Even in professional reviews, one could hardly fi nd any background cultural information about Woodstock, the Chinese concerts, and even Zhangbei, the venue itself. (Zhangbei was often fought over, including in the Huihechuan Battle, led by Genghis Khan, which laid a
solid foundation for the Mongolian Empire.) Instead, critics are passionately commenting on the restroom facilities and the food selection as if the whole purpose of going there is for the fi vestar sanitation, not the music, culture, or spirit.
The phenomenon of a society which lacks interest in cultural and spiritual value is not just happening to rock concerts, a kind of cultural event imported from the West, but also to China’s original cultural heritage.
The fate of the former residence of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, two of the most respected Chinese architects of the 20th century, is a worrying example. The legendary couple designed the national emblem and the Monument to the People’s Heroes on the Tiananmen Square. After the PRC was founded in 1949, Liang also came up with one of the most ambitious plans to preserve old Beijing in its entirety. In fact, many of the couple’s theories to protect the ancient city were developed in the 1930s, when they moved to Beijing and lived at No. 24
Beizongbu Hutong. Yet, not only have the couple’s dreams to protect the ancient city not came true, but the couple’s former residence is one step away from ceasing to exist entirely, because a real estate development company was granted permission to demolish the area. Their home is just a typical courtyard building of 70 years ago. However, the heritage and cultural value surrounding it is enormous.
Forty years ago, the US held rock concerts that are still remembered as part of national legend. Forty years from today what will we in China have the courage to boast about to our children?
Tian Wei is the host of “Dialogue” on CCTV's English Channel, and the main anchor of CCTV's special coverage of important domestic and international events. Previously, Tian worked in Washington D.C. as a correspondent, and covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her blog is http://blog.cctv.com/html/09/960109.html. Reach her at tianwei.gt@gmail.com
