Heritage needs protection more than honors

• Source: Global Times
• [04:35 October 16 2009]
• Comments

For instance, block printing was invented in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province in the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). There are only two people alive who have the skills of this "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity," as the government describes it.

It's not a financially rewarding job and the government gives little support, so block printing faces a shortage of apprentices.

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) – or living heritage – is the mainspring of our cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continued creativity.

It reflects the way our ancestors lived. When people are in a celebratory mood for the victory of inclusion on the UNESCO list, we should also realize the urgency of concretely protecting China's ancient culture as soon as possible.

Compared with neighboring Japan, the Chinese government offers much less financial support for traditional crafts.

The Chinese government gives practitioners of ancient arts 8,000 yuan ($1,172) every year as a subsidy for their contribution in passing the tradition on to the next generation.

In Japan, by contrast, the subsidy per person is as high as 2 million yen ($22,338). Chinese living costs are lower than those in Japan, but not that much lower!

Intangible heritage is confronted with great challenges in China. The protection of intangible cultural heritage brooks no delay.