A decision to offer free entry to city museums has caused
authorities new headaches due to poor behavior from the large
crowds.
Experts yesterday said the free entry offer began during the
Spring Festival, but the policy has led to a barrage of complaints
over people talking loudly or running in the halls.
Under a recent state government notice, all national museums and
provincial comprehensive museums under the management of the state
department of cultural relics were told to stop charging entry fees
this year.
Memorial halls listed as national patriotism education
facilities will also open for free from next year.
Though the Shanghai Art Museum was not listed among these, it
still opened for free during the Spring Festival and attracted more
than 22,000 visitors.
The number of visitors last Sunday alone reached 6,000. However,
art lovers claimed it was too crowded for them to appreciate art
works.
"The art hall was just like a wet market during the Spring
Festival," said Li Wei, a student who visited the museum on
Sunday.
"Many children were running and playing in the halls and people
were shouting loudly.
"I could not enjoy the masterpieces of art."
The museum in Jiading District also opened for free during the
holidays, attracting about 20,000 visitors.
According to museum official Zhao Shengtu, only 100 to 200
people came to visit when tickets were priced at 20 yuan
(US$2.70).
"More cleaners and security guards should be arranged when the
museum is open to the public for free," said Zhao, who added that
"most visitors did not show respect to the art works."
Zhao said museums and memorial halls encouraged to set free
opening days for the public needed to upgrade some of their
services.
According to the state government notice, museums and memorial
halls can still charge fees for special or guest exhibitions.
(Shanghai Daily February 16, 2008)
