Catch the young

When protection work is in its premature phase, it is even harder to consider passing on the skills.

Several students from Fujian Normal University came to learn lantern making with Cai Binghan in 2009, but after their graduation last year, he lost contact with them. "I understand why they gave up learning," he said. "Economic prospects." When young people see the lantern masters living hard lives, they look for another line of work.

Cai can make only two lanterns every year because of failing eyesight and agility. He also has suffered from heart disease and gout for more than 10 years, but is deeply concerned about passing on the skills.

"Everything is produced by hand, from the orderly needle punctures to creases of various shapes, which are all based on decades of exploration and experience," he said. "Moreover, it also needs perception, a calm mentality, skills of design innovation and tool-making. It can't be learned overnight."

To ensure the passing on of the crafts, the Ministry of Culture in July 2009 required cultural bureaus at city level to establish museums and learning venues. In Quanzhou, for example, there must be one such venue in every district or county.

However, some haven't been built and others are just small showrooms, said Guo Feiyue, director of Quanzhou Museum of Art. "The only museum of intangible cultural heritage that is ready is on the fifth floor of the art museum. However, when to open and how many open days in a week haven't been decided."

Lin Yuyi, deputy chief of Quanzhou Bureau of Cultural Relics, said 50 learning venues for all Quanzhou intangible cultural heritage items will be established this year, including three for lanterns.

Hang Jian of Tsinghua University said too many local governments put economic benefits, such as increased tourism, ahead of cultural heritage when they nominate items for protection.

"Authorities at all levels, from country, province, city to village and town, should receive financial expenses and explicit support measures, like opening free training classes and providing subsidies for masters according to the numbers of their apprentices," Hang said.

According to the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Ministry of Culture, China's Intangible Cultural Heritage Law is undergoing a third revision and will be unveiled soon. The masters are waiting.

(China Daily February 17, 2011)