"Field Museums" to Preserve Cultures of Ethnic MinoritiesA Chinese professor proposed recently that the authorities should set up "field museums" to preserve and develop ethnic minority cultures, amid China's drive to develop its western regions.By setting up "field museums" authorities could preserve ethnic minority cultural heritage in their original surroundings rather than setting up museums in big cities. Zhong Jinwen, a professor of China's Central University of Nationalities, said that "the western development campaign" refers to both economic and cultural developments. He added that the moves to save the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities are not only beneficial to ethnic unity, but plays an important role in maintaining social stability in western China. China's first "field museum" was set up in 1997 in southwest China's Guizhou Province for the Miao minority. Other museums were also set up later for the Hezhe people and the Elunchun people in northeast China. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |