Thank you for this amazing dispatch once again! The interweaving of culture and rural revitalization by MARA seems like something that could work on the ground, only if - in my opinion - projects that involve the local community are set up…. and state intervention doesn’t steer too much in the direction of new traditions either, as you point out! Maybe through third parties? A friend of mine and her art agency have set up an eco-museum in a tiny village in Zhejiang, where the locals have showcased their traditional weaving and taught artists in residence how to etc. So far the cooperation with the local government has been successful.
Generally I found that in many villages I have visited the old traditions are set aside for more modern and efficient ways; which is understandable, but also speaks to the loss of whatever traditional culture was left. I wonder if you have found the same?
Indeed—community-led projects will always in my opinion have the best chance of success. The messaging from the government is pretty confusing right now—MARA pushes one thing, then Xi goes to Guizhou and signals something else. Hard to say how this will actually unfold.
I couldn't avoid imagining a huge human government figure single-handedly trying to pull up the country together in one direction.
Can't blame the efforts though they seem somehow disproportionate in their scope and magnitude when seen from the point of view of a central state machine and its glorious initiatives.
Thanks as always for reading and sharing your thoughts. I agree, it’s like trying to force a single direction on something that’s inherently decentralised!
Thank you for this amazing dispatch once again! The interweaving of culture and rural revitalization by MARA seems like something that could work on the ground, only if - in my opinion - projects that involve the local community are set up…. and state intervention doesn’t steer too much in the direction of new traditions either, as you point out! Maybe through third parties? A friend of mine and her art agency have set up an eco-museum in a tiny village in Zhejiang, where the locals have showcased their traditional weaving and taught artists in residence how to etc. So far the cooperation with the local government has been successful.
Generally I found that in many villages I have visited the old traditions are set aside for more modern and efficient ways; which is understandable, but also speaks to the loss of whatever traditional culture was left. I wonder if you have found the same?
Indeed—community-led projects will always in my opinion have the best chance of success. The messaging from the government is pretty confusing right now—MARA pushes one thing, then Xi goes to Guizhou and signals something else. Hard to say how this will actually unfold.
Thanks again for a hugely informative report.
I couldn't avoid imagining a huge human government figure single-handedly trying to pull up the country together in one direction.
Can't blame the efforts though they seem somehow disproportionate in their scope and magnitude when seen from the point of view of a central state machine and its glorious initiatives.
Thanks as always for reading and sharing your thoughts. I agree, it’s like trying to force a single direction on something that’s inherently decentralised!