Should public funds be provided to help maintain traditional Chinese arts?

    It is a pity that many traditional Chinese art forms, which were once very popular and properous, are dying out. We think it urgent for us to do something to help maintain them, and public funds are especially suitable for this purpose.

    Why should we maintain traditional Chinese art forms? First, traditional art forms are a reminder of our history. For instance, when we appreciate the writing works by our ancestors, we are not only impressed by their beauty but also communicating with the distant past. If we practice Chinese calligraphy, we are not just imitating but are immersed in the long history and are bridging the past with the present as well. Second, most traditional Chinese art forms, though less popular now, still glare with beauty and excellence, and are enjoyed by thousands of people. Last but not least, traditional Chinese art forms, as a conveyor of our traditional culture, are extremely important for our cultural uniqueness. These art forms, such as weiqi, calligraphy, painting, martial arts, etc., are a reflection of the profound Oriental culture. They are a key to understanding China and the Chinese people. It is unimaginable to forget all these traditional art forms and still remain Chinese.

   Then, if it is so important to preserve these traditional Chinese art forms, why have many of them fallen into decline? Many factors  have led to this unfortunate situation. First, technological development has made the practical functions of many traditional art forms useless. For example, people now practice the martial arts only for the purpose of keeping healthy or performing, not for guarding against enemies any more. Furthermore, the impact of foreign cultures and their art forms with the speeding globalization process has resultred in a wider range of choices for people to kill their leisure time. For example, many yound people practice playing the piano instead of traditional Chinese musical instruments such as the erhu or qin.

    Therefore, we hold that public funds should be provided to help maintain traditioanl Chinese art forms. These funds can be used first to provide relevant courses in schools to arouse students’ interest and to teach them related basic skills. They can also be used to set awards or ensure career success for those who are excellent in these forms. If enough funds are set to the education and spreading of traditional Chinese arts, it can be sure they will remain active and energetic in the modern age.