At dawn, soft light filtered through thin clouds, cascading down onto the courtyard where Jiang Zhi lived. This courtyard bore the marks of time, with every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree seemingly telling a story of the past. Dressed in a plain cheongsam, Jiang Zhi gracefully strolled through the courtyard. Her gaze swept across the surroundings, the exquisitely carved window lattices and quaint corridors whispering the charm of traditional culture. All of this only deepened her deep obsession with the legacy of this tradition.
Jiang Zhi is well aware that in this rapidly changing modern society, traditional culture is like a pearl covered in dust, gradually losing its former luster. The younger generation, swept up in trends, chases the latest gadgets brought by fashion and technology, leaving little understanding of the treasures left by their ancestors. Ancient handicrafts like Suzhou embroidery and Shu brocade, each stitch imbued with the painstaking effort and wisdom of the artisans, face the dilemma of no one to pass them on. Poetry and songs, the allure and rhythmic beauty of Tang and Song poetry, are being forgotten under the onslaught of fast-food culture. Traditional festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Spring Festival, once rich in folk traditions, are now reduced to formal gatherings and shopping in the tide of commercialization, their underlying cultural meaning and ritual slowly fading. Each of these events, like a hammer, hammered at Jiang Zhi's heart, resolving to forge a new path for the preservation of traditional culture.
So, Jiang Zhi got busy. She personally scoured every corner of the city, searching for artisans, scholars, and artists, hidden within the urban fabric, who still championed traditional culture. On a narrow, secluded old street, she found a paper-cutting artist, Grandpa Li, now over 70 years old. Grandpa Li's hands, etched with the vicissitudes of life, remained as nimble as a swallow. With his scissors, he transformed a simple sheet of red paper into a vibrant, lifelike depiction of flowers, birds, fish, insects, and mythical figures. Stepping into the small room filled with paper-cut works, Jiang Zhi was instantly struck by the exquisite beauty of the works. Respectfully, she explained her purpose to Grandpa Li, hoping to invite him to teach her paper-cutting skills. A tear flickered in Grandpa Li's eyes, a lament for the difficulty of finding a soulmate and a hope for the continued legacy of his art. He readily agreed.
Similarly, Jiang Zhi heard that Professor Chen, a veteran scholar with a long history of studying ancient texts and profound knowledge of ancient rituals and regulations, lived in the suburbs. She bravely drove there. Professor Chen's residence was piled high with books, a treasure trove of knowledge. After Jiang Zhi explained her purpose, Professor Chen spoke eloquently about the significance of ancient rituals in interpersonal relationships and the construction of social order. From the solemnity of sacrificial ceremonies to the formalities of everyday greetings, every detail embodied the wisdom and moral codes of the ancients. Jiang Zhi was captivated and immediately invited Professor Chen to participate in a cultural heritage project. Professor Chen readily agreed, expressing his willingness to contribute to the revival of traditional culture.
After much preparation, the first cultural event finally commenced. The venue was a historic guildhall in the city center. The elegant architecture, with its soaring eaves, brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters, exemplifies traditional culture. On the day of the event, Jiang Zhi arrived early to direct the staff's preparations. Exquisite paper-cuts hung around the venue, ranging from the auspicious "Years of Abundance" to the folk tale of "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl," captivating the audience with breathtaking admiration. On the podium, ancient thread-bound books and exquisite study items filled the air, the faint scent of ink transporting one back to a time when literati and poets wielded their brushes.
Participants began arriving one after another. There were energetic students, their eyes filled with curiosity about the unknown; there were traditional culture enthusiasts dressed in Hanfu, their attire showcasing their love for ancient customs; and there were parents with young children, hoping to plant the seeds of culture in their children from an early age. Jiang Zhi stood at the front of the stage, a smile on her face, her gentle voice carrying through the microphone: "Dear friends, in this bustling and bustling city, we gather here to explore the profound charm of traditional culture. It is the root of our nation and the crystallization of the wisdom of our ancestors. Today, let us join hands to revitalize this ancient culture." With these words, the audience burst into applause.
Grandpa Li took the stage as the first guest. He held the pair of scissors that had accompanied him for half his life, a sheet of vibrant red paper before him. He folded the paper slowly and steadily, his gaze focused and determined. Then, his scissors moved effortlessly through the paper, sending confetti scattering like a shower of vibrant flowers. In a moment, a vivid painting of "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" unfolded before the audience. The phoenix fluttered its wings, ready to take flight, surrounded by a myriad of birds in a vibrant array of forms. The audience was stunned, then erupted in applause. Grandpa Li smiled as he explained the fundamental techniques of paper cutting, detailing everything from folding techniques and designing patterns to the pressure and angle of the cut. Children gathered around him, their eyes wide open and their hands eager to try. Under Grandpa Li's patient guidance, they began their first paper-cutting adventure. Soon, delicate yet playful birds and flowers emerged from the children's hands. They held up their creations, beaming with pride.
Professor Chen took the stage next. Dressed in a long gown and holding a folding fan, he exuded an air of elegance, resembling a refined scholar straight out of an ancient text. He opened the event with a spectacular demonstration of ancient etiquette, inviting several volunteers to demonstrate the ancient rituals of bowing and kowtow. Professor Chen explained the origins and appropriate occasions for each ritual, while correcting the volunteers' movements. "In the bow, men place their left hand outside, women their right hand outside. This seemingly simple gesture embodies the concepts of yin and yang, the five elements, and the order of hierarchy..." The audience imitated him, and for a moment, the venue felt like a trip back to ancient times, with greetings and exchanges in a solemn and warm atmosphere. Professor Chen then delved into the etiquette and customs of traditional festivals, including the Dragon Boat Festival rituals for exorcising evil spirits and praying for blessings, the Mid-Autumn Festival moon worship rituals, and the Spring Festival ancestor worship rituals. Each story and piece of history captivated the audience, leaving them with a new understanding of traditional festivals.
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