The abrupt rising of cultural industry is a corollary of the establishment and improvement of a socialist market system. The raising of the concept of culture industry is a reflection of the necessary needs of cultura...The abrupt rising of cultural industry is a corollary of the establishment and improvement of a socialist market system. The raising of the concept of culture industry is a reflection of the necessary needs of cultural development triggered by socialist market economy and a reflection of our ever deeper understanding of the individuality and commonality of spiritual products and material products. It is a precondition for the growth of cultural industry that cultural undertaking and cultural industry are clearly and scientifically defined. On the basis of past practice of cultural institutional reform, a guideline has been offered at the 16th Party congress that separates cultural undertaking from cultural industry, providing a clear road to cultural system reform. The significance of this "bifurcation" lies in the acknowledgement of the economic properties of cultural products and cultural services, and of the legal status of cultural industry. Cultural system reform should follow the norms and characteristics of socialist spiritual civilization, satisfy the needs of socialist market system, and gradually set up a cultural management system that each and every cultural entity operates according to law under the leadership of the Party committees and stewardship of governments. The key thrust of the reform is to blaze new trail in system and mechanism with an eye to people at large and market. The current cultural system reform currently unfolding nation-wide aims no less than to break through the systematic barrier that hinders cultural development, and to create a new, broad sphere for the development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries in China.展开更多
Produced recently by Shanxi Modern Drama Theater, the modern drama "The Beginning of the Autumn" follows a distinct theme with a philosophical depth. It is an outstanding stage production that incorporates i...Produced recently by Shanxi Modern Drama Theater, the modern drama "The Beginning of the Autumn" follows a distinct theme with a philosophical depth. It is an outstanding stage production that incorporates ideology, artistry and esthetics. It describes, in a highly distilled, potent form of artistic expression, the tumultuous course--from glory to ruin--taken by the most outstanding group of Shanxi merchants in Chinese modern history of commerce. The play tells the roller-coaster story of the once prosperous Fengde Biaohao or Fengde Bank, which is facing a life-or-death test at the volatile and fragile time of the nascent Republic of China. The drama provides powerful ideas and reveals overwhelming strength of artistic persuasion.展开更多
Ethnic tourism became an important component in Qixian County’s tourist industry last year. The Qiao Family Courtyard received each day over 10,000 tourists, registering a 30% increase over last year in terms of both...Ethnic tourism became an important component in Qixian County’s tourist industry last year. The Qiao Family Courtyard received each day over 10,000 tourists, registering a 30% increase over last year in terms of both arrivals and ticket revenue. Tourists can now travel around watching a new"Folkloric Village of Qiaojiabao"instead of the originally single Qiao Family Mansion.展开更多
Arranged by the publicity department of Shanxi provincial Party committee, we have in recent days conducted a short inspection to Shanxi’s cultural institutional reform and cultural industrial development. Wherever w...Arranged by the publicity department of Shanxi provincial Party committee, we have in recent days conducted a short inspection to Shanxi’s cultural institutional reform and cultural industrial development. Wherever we went, we were greatly overwhelmed by the warm hospitality, honesty and sense of humor of our hosts. Meanwhile, the "courtyard culture" and the "culture of Shanxi Merchants", among other locally distinctive cultures, had left a profoundly deep impression on us all. It can be easily discerned that Shanxi’s culture industry has in recent years spearheaded the cultural renaissance, with a pace so fast that it has become an illustrative example in China for the development of regional cultural industries. One of the important reasons for this cultural upsurge lies in the fact that the provincial Party committee and the provincial government have timely and correctly initiated a broad-minded cultural development strategy and allowed a market operational mode that conforms to the reality of the province based on a crystal clear analysis of the provincial resources and characteristics.展开更多
A little known provincial film maker, Shanxi Film Studio had produced no more than nine sub-par feature films in the long span of 15 years from its in ception in 1983, when it premiered the first film, through 1998. B...A little known provincial film maker, Shanxi Film Studio had produced no more than nine sub-par feature films in the long span of 15 years from its in ception in 1983, when it premiered the first film, through 1998. But since 1999, this company, rising seemingly like a phoenix from ashes, has suddenly establis hed itself as a force to be reckoned with in this cut-throat film market. From 1 999 till now, it has created 31 feature films; 6 television movies; 5 documentar ies; 3 scientific educational films; 20 teleplays (400-odd episodes); and 25 doc udramas (100-odd episodes). And in 2004 alone, the studio released as many as 15 motion pictures, ranking third in the nation in terms of output. "Warm Spring" (2003) has garnered 14 national awards, and bagged 15 million yuan in annual box -office sales with a surprising 2 million coming from overseas market.展开更多
Shanxi is well endowed with natural and human resources. All cultural relics, above ground and underground, glitter and glisten like precious jewels embedded in its long history. These antiques are works of heart that...Shanxi is well endowed with natural and human resources. All cultural relics, above ground and underground, glitter and glisten like precious jewels embedded in its long history. These antiques are works of heart that had been laboriously crafted by our ancestors. Each ruin tells an interesting story of endeavor and pursuit of our forebears. Each ancient building was layered with a spiritual hankering. Each piece of artifact is loaded with meaningful intelligence. They are the "spirits and ghosts" still haunting this land yet are what make Shanxi people most proud. Shanxi claims a long list of cultural superlatives in China’s, and the world’s, treasure houses. Here we present just a small sampling of them for your reading pleasure.展开更多
Pingyao’s civic houses are an important component of the ancient city of Pingyao listed on the World Cultural Heritage. Pingyao still retains a list of 3,797 traditional rectangular courtyards worthy of protection, 3...Pingyao’s civic houses are an important component of the ancient city of Pingyao listed on the World Cultural Heritage. Pingyao still retains a list of 3,797 traditional rectangular courtyards worthy of protection, 387 of them superbly preserved. These old houses have kept alive the architectural flair of the Ming and Qing periods with their distinctive layout and design imbued with a host of cultural connotations. And indeed they are of much historical and cultural value, a reservoir for ethnic research and architectural case studies, and objects for both practical use and esthetic appreciation.展开更多
The added value of Shanxi’s cultural industry tourism, radio, film, television, press publications, artistic performances, health and fitness sector reached 21 billion yuan in 2002, accounting for 10.5% of the provin...The added value of Shanxi’s cultural industry tourism, radio, film, television, press publications, artistic performances, health and fitness sector reached 21 billion yuan in 2002, accounting for 10.5% of the provincial GDP. The cultural industry has become one of the pillar industries of Shanxi. It is, however, a painstaking task to enrich cultural undertakings and promote cultural industry, which is the requirement for developing an advanced civilization and for sustainable development of national economy and society. The transformation from a conceptual action to a conscious action is the necessary period for the development of cultural industry. So long as we quicken the step of formulating policies, accelerate the reform of cultural institutions, and train a group of professionals, can we bring cultural industry to our expected level. In this way cultural industry will become the mainstay for the development of future society.展开更多
Whenever Spring Festival is around the corner, every family is busy pasting calligraphic couplets and exquisite paper cuttings on its doors and windows. But the artistry of window paper cuttings is marked by originali...Whenever Spring Festival is around the corner, every family is busy pasting calligraphic couplets and exquisite paper cuttings on its doors and windows. But the artistry of window paper cuttings is marked by originality in conception and bold in design. Once paper-cuttings are mounted, they are indeed adorable. Recently these paper cuttings have become ever more popular among foreign friends, who regard them as something worthy of collecting and keeping. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced in 2001 in Paris, France the first Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Ministry of Culture and Chinese Art Research Institute have identified paper cutting as one of the five inventories to be recommended to UNESCO.展开更多
文摘The abrupt rising of cultural industry is a corollary of the establishment and improvement of a socialist market system. The raising of the concept of culture industry is a reflection of the necessary needs of cultural development triggered by socialist market economy and a reflection of our ever deeper understanding of the individuality and commonality of spiritual products and material products. It is a precondition for the growth of cultural industry that cultural undertaking and cultural industry are clearly and scientifically defined. On the basis of past practice of cultural institutional reform, a guideline has been offered at the 16th Party congress that separates cultural undertaking from cultural industry, providing a clear road to cultural system reform. The significance of this "bifurcation" lies in the acknowledgement of the economic properties of cultural products and cultural services, and of the legal status of cultural industry. Cultural system reform should follow the norms and characteristics of socialist spiritual civilization, satisfy the needs of socialist market system, and gradually set up a cultural management system that each and every cultural entity operates according to law under the leadership of the Party committees and stewardship of governments. The key thrust of the reform is to blaze new trail in system and mechanism with an eye to people at large and market. The current cultural system reform currently unfolding nation-wide aims no less than to break through the systematic barrier that hinders cultural development, and to create a new, broad sphere for the development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries in China.
文摘Produced recently by Shanxi Modern Drama Theater, the modern drama "The Beginning of the Autumn" follows a distinct theme with a philosophical depth. It is an outstanding stage production that incorporates ideology, artistry and esthetics. It describes, in a highly distilled, potent form of artistic expression, the tumultuous course--from glory to ruin--taken by the most outstanding group of Shanxi merchants in Chinese modern history of commerce. The play tells the roller-coaster story of the once prosperous Fengde Biaohao or Fengde Bank, which is facing a life-or-death test at the volatile and fragile time of the nascent Republic of China. The drama provides powerful ideas and reveals overwhelming strength of artistic persuasion.
文摘Ethnic tourism became an important component in Qixian County’s tourist industry last year. The Qiao Family Courtyard received each day over 10,000 tourists, registering a 30% increase over last year in terms of both arrivals and ticket revenue. Tourists can now travel around watching a new"Folkloric Village of Qiaojiabao"instead of the originally single Qiao Family Mansion.
文摘Arranged by the publicity department of Shanxi provincial Party committee, we have in recent days conducted a short inspection to Shanxi’s cultural institutional reform and cultural industrial development. Wherever we went, we were greatly overwhelmed by the warm hospitality, honesty and sense of humor of our hosts. Meanwhile, the "courtyard culture" and the "culture of Shanxi Merchants", among other locally distinctive cultures, had left a profoundly deep impression on us all. It can be easily discerned that Shanxi’s culture industry has in recent years spearheaded the cultural renaissance, with a pace so fast that it has become an illustrative example in China for the development of regional cultural industries. One of the important reasons for this cultural upsurge lies in the fact that the provincial Party committee and the provincial government have timely and correctly initiated a broad-minded cultural development strategy and allowed a market operational mode that conforms to the reality of the province based on a crystal clear analysis of the provincial resources and characteristics.
文摘A little known provincial film maker, Shanxi Film Studio had produced no more than nine sub-par feature films in the long span of 15 years from its in ception in 1983, when it premiered the first film, through 1998. But since 1999, this company, rising seemingly like a phoenix from ashes, has suddenly establis hed itself as a force to be reckoned with in this cut-throat film market. From 1 999 till now, it has created 31 feature films; 6 television movies; 5 documentar ies; 3 scientific educational films; 20 teleplays (400-odd episodes); and 25 doc udramas (100-odd episodes). And in 2004 alone, the studio released as many as 15 motion pictures, ranking third in the nation in terms of output. "Warm Spring" (2003) has garnered 14 national awards, and bagged 15 million yuan in annual box -office sales with a surprising 2 million coming from overseas market.
文摘Shanxi is well endowed with natural and human resources. All cultural relics, above ground and underground, glitter and glisten like precious jewels embedded in its long history. These antiques are works of heart that had been laboriously crafted by our ancestors. Each ruin tells an interesting story of endeavor and pursuit of our forebears. Each ancient building was layered with a spiritual hankering. Each piece of artifact is loaded with meaningful intelligence. They are the "spirits and ghosts" still haunting this land yet are what make Shanxi people most proud. Shanxi claims a long list of cultural superlatives in China’s, and the world’s, treasure houses. Here we present just a small sampling of them for your reading pleasure.
文摘Pingyao’s civic houses are an important component of the ancient city of Pingyao listed on the World Cultural Heritage. Pingyao still retains a list of 3,797 traditional rectangular courtyards worthy of protection, 387 of them superbly preserved. These old houses have kept alive the architectural flair of the Ming and Qing periods with their distinctive layout and design imbued with a host of cultural connotations. And indeed they are of much historical and cultural value, a reservoir for ethnic research and architectural case studies, and objects for both practical use and esthetic appreciation.
文摘The added value of Shanxi’s cultural industry tourism, radio, film, television, press publications, artistic performances, health and fitness sector reached 21 billion yuan in 2002, accounting for 10.5% of the provincial GDP. The cultural industry has become one of the pillar industries of Shanxi. It is, however, a painstaking task to enrich cultural undertakings and promote cultural industry, which is the requirement for developing an advanced civilization and for sustainable development of national economy and society. The transformation from a conceptual action to a conscious action is the necessary period for the development of cultural industry. So long as we quicken the step of formulating policies, accelerate the reform of cultural institutions, and train a group of professionals, can we bring cultural industry to our expected level. In this way cultural industry will become the mainstay for the development of future society.
文摘Whenever Spring Festival is around the corner, every family is busy pasting calligraphic couplets and exquisite paper cuttings on its doors and windows. But the artistry of window paper cuttings is marked by originality in conception and bold in design. Once paper-cuttings are mounted, they are indeed adorable. Recently these paper cuttings have become ever more popular among foreign friends, who regard them as something worthy of collecting and keeping. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced in 2001 in Paris, France the first Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Ministry of Culture and Chinese Art Research Institute have identified paper cutting as one of the five inventories to be recommended to UNESCO.
