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Traditional culture gaining popularity among youngsters in China 2023/3/10 source: International Daily Print

Traditional culture showed in innovative ways with modern technologies is becoming more and more popular among youngsters in China.


Over the past few years, an increasing amount of products with traditional Chinese cultural elements, shows and exhibitions went viral on social media, igniting a passion for the beauty of Chinese culture among young people.

The dance show "Tang Gong Ye Yan" ("Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace") was considered a highlight of the 2021 Spring Festival Gala of Henan Satellite Television, whose gala was widely praised by audiences that year.

It depicts the process from preparations to performing by a group of female musicians at a banquet in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It breaks the stereotype of a lyric atmosphere of Chinese classical dance and offers an amusing and real-life view into traditional times.

The performance is one of many pieces created by the Zhengzhou Dance Troupe, which features a new fashion trend mixing traditional culture with modern elements. The performers are currently on a months-long national tour as the performance is popular in many provinces in China.

"The national tour will last for another month. The troupe will be in Guangxi, Anhui and many other provinces. From what I know, wherever the troupe goes, the tickets are sold out once they are released," said Lou Bingbing, a member of Zhengzhou committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and director of Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theater.

"Our Henan people seem to have some impetus. With the rich culture in central China, how should we further deliver our culture?" Lou said, noting the team never stops thinking about how to spread traditional Chinese culture in innovative ways.

Together with his team, Chen Lei, a young gala show director, used modern technologies, including augmented reality and virtual reality, to bring the show from the stage to a virtual museum setting, incorporating various cultural relics.

The innovation has drawn flocks of youngsters to museums.

"The people who were born after the 1990s or 2000 have a better understanding of modern life, but at the same time, are eager to know more about the nation's traditions," said Ma Xiaolin, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and director of Henan Museum.

According to Ma, 70 percent of visitors to the Henan Museum located in Zhengzhou City are aged below 35, and museums have been introducing more and more innovative digital technologies and devices to enrich the visitor experience as more cultural offerings are needed for the younger generation.


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