Traditional culture nurtures and broadens horizons
- By staff reporter Jiao Feng
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Incremental Influence
Zhaodengyu School currently offers more than 10 extracurricular programs. They include not only traditional Chinese culture, but also pursuits that range from flower arranging to sports. "In my opinion, schools should create a greater scope of choice for students," Principal Xu Wei said. Today students in Zhaodengyu School are exposed to traditional Chinese culture through the use of media that includes exhibitions, videos, and lectures.
Zhenquyuan Museum represents the fruits of the collaboration the school has with the No. 93 Courtyard Museum. Dedicated to passing down Beijing's intangible cultural heritage and folk art, the museum helps the school devise relevant courses and software, and invites cultural custodians to give handicraft classes. According to its curator Lin Yi, they hope more children will be able to perceive the culture embodied in craftsmanship instead of simply learning these skills. "Each type of handicraft showcases the history and lifestyle of a particular period. These memories are the most valuable aspect. For children, learning time-honored workmanship brings the same joy as playing, and interest in traditional culture can be cultivated in the midst of leisure pursuits. This is incremental influence," Lin said.
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The traditional method of making hairy monkeys is taught on an extracurricular craft course. Photos by Jiao Feng |
Zhao Changfu considers cooperating with professional organizations to be a way of strengthening education. "After all, a school's resources are limited. Therefore, cooperation benefits both the school and its students," Zhao said. "Another example is the collaboration between the school's Peking Opera group and the Beijing Jingju Theater Company. Professionals from the company not only teach artistry, but also provide the venue, costumes, makeup and the other necessities that enable our students to give performances."
Zhao emphasized how popular the school's extracurricular programs are among students. Each student, on a first-come-first-served basis, may sign up for two courses. "Interest is their sole motivation for attending these classes," Zhao said. "This is the pleasure of acquiring knowledge without pressure. As they grow and learn, they will better understand the significance of cultural inheritance." Zhao raised the example of performers from the Beijing Jingju Theater Company. "They are always on time when coming to give classes to our students. Some are respected artists. If they arrive ahead of the scheduled time, they practice acting techniques while waiting for the students. Their hard-working attitude helps students understand that success is borne of diligence and unremitting efforts."
The school principal agrees. Xu Wei understands that traditional Chinese culture might be too abstract and deep for primary and middle school students to appreciate. "But we do not intend to train professionals in this field, and nor do we require the students to reach certain levels. We simply provide opportunities for them to experience the enjoyment that traditional culture brings. They can at the same time learn to appreciate beauty in all aspects of life. I believe fulfillment in this sense can be deemed success," Xu concluded.
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