A paper-cut salvation center was announced to be established
Thursday afternoon in Weixian County in northern China's Hebei
Province to preserve the endangered folk art.
"The center is designated to guide and promote the development
of this folk art across the country," said Xiang Yunju, an official
in charge of China's salvation of folk cultures.
Xiang said it would take the center about three years to compile
a grand collection of paper-cut works by folk artisans scattering
around the country.
Scissoring a story-telling picture or an amusing figure from
paper has long been a popular pastime for women in China, where
their paper-cuts are used to celebrate traditional festivals like
the Spring Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, wedding and
birthday.
However, the traditional art is facing extinction as few young
people are willing to take the old business due to its complex
techniques and low revenue.
"Our old folk cultures are vanishing since farmers are reluctant
to pay enough attention to this tradition as their ancestors did,"
warned Sonam Dojie, who has collected and preserved folk cultures
for years.
"The establishment of the center provide a glimpse of hope to
save cultures like paper-cuts," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2003)