When we think of museums, we usually think of huge buildings in busy downtown areas, eye-catching spotlights, and vast collections. However, today, many museums can be found across China’s vast rural areas that showcase the unique local culture.
Near the vast cornfields of Xinjia Village, there is a museum dedicated to Mahu Opera, the traditional art of the Manchu people of northeastern China.
Developed on the site of a former elementary school, the museum has five exhibition rooms containing approximately 2,000 items, including manuscripts, masks, costumes, musical instruments, and books, most of which are held by inheritors of local intangible cultural heritage. It was donated by a certain Mr. Wang Songlin. heritage.
“By displaying them in the village, we hope to make more people aware of this disappearing ancient art form that originated in this region, and at the same time contribute to heightening the aesthetic interest of more farmers.” “We are working hard,” Wang said.
Besides artifacts related to Mahu Opera, other old items collected from local residents in the museum, such as traditional farming tools, also reflect the history of this village located in Shuangyang District, Changchun City, Northeast China’s Jilin Province doing.
A villager from Xinka City said, “I didn’t think these outdated items could be put to good use. If they weren’t in the museum, they might have already been thrown away.”
The village of Xinjia, which has a population of only about 2,800 people, currently has five museums built near local residences.
Museums not only serve as cultural centers for rural villagers, helping them learn more about the past and record local history, but can also encourage tourists from cities to visit such areas .
“Through the construction of the museum, we hope to promote the development of cultural tourism in the village. We aim to provide the villagers with a better living environment and higher income,” said Sun Ying, party chairman of Xinjia Village. .
The Sika Deer Museum is located in Shuangyang District, which has a history of over 300 years in the field of deer breeding. Stroll through the 7,200 square meter building and learn more about the history and traditions of local deer farming and how the industry developed.
“We want to preserve the cultural roots of Shuangyang and let people know about its wonderful civilization.The people here have struggled to develop the deer industry, so we want to preserve this culture through the museum. We must pass on the spirit to the next generation,” said Riku. Mr. Junsen, the founder of the museum.
The Ma Hu Theater Museum and the Sika Deer Museum are one of the outcomes of the rural museum construction project in Jilin Province, which started in 2016. So far, 91 museums have been built in rural areas of Jilin province.
In 2021, China began developing Jilin, Zhejiang, and Shandong provinces as pilot provinces for the construction of rural museums.
In April 2022, Zhejiang Province in eastern China announced guidelines for the construction of rural museums. The guidelines stipulate standards for the construction, operation, and management of rural museums, and require cultural property management departments and state-run museums to strengthen construction management and support. Countryside museum.
According to the guidelines, Zhejiang province plans to build 1,000 rural museums from 2021 to 2025. According to the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage, as of September 30, 2023, a total of 692 rural museums have been built in the province.
While China is modernizing its rural areas, it is also seeking solutions to preserve the unique history and vibrant culture of various regions, and the construction of rural museums is an important part of this strategy.
Hao Dayong, director of the Cultural Heritage Management Bureau of Shuangyang District, said rural museums are integrated into the daily lives of rural residents, provide a space for leisure and entertainment, and help enhance understanding of local history and identity. Stated.