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转载中国日报网丨Museums preserve 'root and soul' of Chinese civilization

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本文是约翰·奎尔奇博士在参观了我们六悦博物馆后写下的文章,就博物馆对中国历史和文化的保存和推广作用做了阐述。

 

约翰·奎尔奇博士昆山杜克大学常务副校长、社会科学杰出教授和杜克大学富卡商学院约翰·德布茨实践教授。作为全球高等教育领域的资深领导者,他曾在欧洲、北美和亚洲的顶尖商学院担任领导职务,包括伦敦商学院院长、哈佛商学院资深副院长、中欧国际工商学院副院长兼教务长以及迈阿密大学副教务长、商学院院长。

 

本文转载自中国日报网,我们在英文原文后提供了全文中文翻译,感谢你的阅读。

 

The article reposted below was written by Dr. John Quelch following his visit to our Six Arts Museum. It discusses the role of museums in preserving and promoting Chinese history and culture.

 

Dr. John Quelch is the Executive Vice Chancellor of Duke Kunshan University, an Outstanding Professor of Social Sciences, and the John D. McLauchlan Practice Professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. As a senior leader in the global higher education sector, he has held leadership positions at top business schools in Europe, North America, and Asia, including serving as the Dean of the London Business School, Senior Associate Dean at Harvard Business School, Associate Dean and Dean of Faculty at China Europe International Business School, and Associate Dean and Dean of the Business School at the University of Miami.

 

This English language article is reproduced from the China Daily, and we provide the full (AI generated) Chinese translation following the original English text. Thank you for reading, we hope that you enjoy the article as much as we do.

Museums preserve 'root and soul' of Chinese civilization

By John Quelch | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-09-10 09:08

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This undated file photo shows college students visiting the Six Arts Museum in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's impressive performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is a source of pride but, after visiting several Chinese museums this summer, I was reminded that Chinese people should be equally proud of their rich history and culture — and museums are powerful vehicles for preserving and promoting them.

In Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, also known as the China's "porcelain capital" for its 1,000-year-old tradition of producing ceramics, I enjoyed the wonders of the ceramics museum.

Equally impressive were the hundreds of ceramic artists' stalls lining the streets, the workspaces for foreign artists in residence, and workshops where families could experience pottery making together. The museum served as the catalyst that made all this possible.

I also visited the Six Arts Museum in Lili, a water town near Shanghai. The museum's 40,000 exhibits, ranging from sideboards and baby carriages to plaques and heirlooms, provided a window into Chinese village life over the centuries. These everyday objects, while probably not as glamorous as imperial vases, deepened my appreciation for the culture and history rooted in the lives of ordinary Chinese people.

This summer, I explored many other museums across China, almost all filled with visitors, young and old, eager to engage with the country's long history. I was particularly struck, throughout my travels, by the numerous groups of school students, led by their teachers, who expressed their amazement and excitement at the exhibits.

This renewed interest is no accident.

While Chinese President Xi Jinping has advocated all year for "new quality productive forces", he has also committed the nation to invest in preserving and celebrating its history.

The Chinese government's emphasis on promoting traditional Chinese culture, bringing cultural relics "alive", and fostering cultural exchanges and mutual learning across civilizations has helped spark this surge in museum attendance.

President Xi has consistently described China's traditional culture as the "root and soul" of the nation. The resolution passed in July by the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China also called for preserving heritage, enhancing cultural services and products, and expanding the appeal of Chinese culture.

As a history undergraduate major, I deeply appreciate China's efforts to magnify its culture and history while improving access by opening new museums. This will allow more people, both at home and abroad, to connect with China's rich cultural legacy.

China's growth in museums is remarkable, with one new museum opening every two days on average — a rate that is likely unmatched worldwide. This expansion is astonishing, with nearly 7,000 museums already in existence as of a 2022 report.

Beyond their growing numbers, many museums are using modern technology to engage young people through interactive exhibits, action learning, and QR codes that provide additional information. Creative museum directors see technology not as competition but as a tool to draw in and engage more visitors. I also note that many schools nationwide are integrating museum visits into their core and elective curricula, helping students build a deeper connection with the country's heritage.

Chinese museums are also striving to attract international visitors. With improved translation services and increased visibility through more than 50 World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO, China's global appeal is growing, setting the stage for a resurgence in tourism.

Chinese people are rightfully proud of their history, as few nations can match China's continuous cultural legacy spanning 5,000 years. Even fewer can boast such a wealth of artifacts that bring that history to life.

Preserving and presenting history in engaging ways is crucial because it inspires today's museumgoers and drives them to achieve significant advances not only in the arts but also in fields such as science and technology to leave lasting impacts. Museums are not mere warehouses for objects — they are places of reflection, inspiration and education. The successes of future generations are built on the accumulated knowledge and achievements of those who came before. In addition, respect for the past also nurtures respect for the elderly in an aging society, benefiting the common good.

However, China's museum directors may consider certain areas in order to build further on the momentum.

In many museums, managing large crowds is becoming an issue. The most popular museums may need to expand their facilities or implement timed entry tickets and admission fees. Traveling exhibitions in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an in Shaanxi province could also bring top-quality museum experiences to less developed areas.

Additionally, museum directors should not only preserve the past as an end in itself but celebrate it as an inspiration for the future. For instance, this year's Shanghai Biennale held at the Power Station of Art brought together artists from my institution, Duke Kunshan University, and many others worldwide in a multidisciplinary showcase addressing topics from space exploration to the origins of consciousness, aiming to inspire creative solutions to complex global challenges.

Given museums' role in fostering cross-cultural understanding, improving access for international visitors is essential. National and provincial museum passes available for advance purchase could help make China's cultural treasures more accessible to foreign tourists.

In summary, museums are more than mere monuments to history — they are living bridges connecting the past to the future. In an age where rapid technological change can sometimes obscure the deeper roots of our identities, these institutions anchor us, reminding us that the soul of a civilization is found not only in its innovations but in its reverence for the wisdom and creativity of generations long gone. By investing in preserving their culture, the Chinese people ensure that their rich legacy continues to inspire both present and future generations.

The author is executive vice chancellor and distinguished professor of social science at Duke Kunshan University in China and the John deButts professor of practice at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business in the United States. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

博物馆保存了中华文明的“根和魂”

约翰·奎尔奇 | 中国日报网全球版 | 更新时间:2024年9月10日 09:08

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这张未注明日期的档案照片展示了大学生们正在参观中国东部江苏省苏州市的六悦博物馆。[图片/新华社]

中国在2024年巴黎奥运会上的出色表现令人自豪,但再今年夏天参观了几家中国博物馆后,我意识到中国人同样应该为其丰富的历史和文化感到骄傲——而博物馆则是保存和推广这些历史和文化的有力工具。

在江西省景德镇市,这座因拥有千年陶瓷生产传统而被称为中国“瓷都”的城市,我体验到了陶瓷博物馆的奇妙之处。

同样令人印象深刻的是,数百个沿街而立的陶瓷艺术家摊位,为驻留的外国艺术家提供的工作室空间,以及家庭可以一起体验陶艺制作的工作坊。博物馆正是促成这一切成为可能的催化剂。

我还参观了坐落于上海附近水乡黎里古镇的六悦博物馆。该博物馆的4万件展品,从边桌、婴儿车到匾额、传家宝,为世人打开了一扇了解中国乡村几个世纪以来生活面貌的窗口。这些日常用品,虽然可能不如皇家花瓶那样光彩夺目,但却加深了我对根植于普通中国人生活中的文化和历史的欣赏。

今年夏天,我探索了中国各地的许多其他博物馆,几乎每一家都挤满了渴望了解这个国家悠久历史的男女老少。在我的整个旅途中,令我印象特别深刻的是,由老师带领的许多学生团体,他们在展品面前的惊讶和兴奋。

这种重新燃起的兴趣并非偶然。

中国国家主席习近平全年都在倡导“新型优质生产力”,同时他也致力于让国家投资保护和颂扬其历史。

中国政府着力于弘扬中国传统文化,让文物“活”起来,并促进不同文明间的文化交流和互学互鉴,这有助于激发人们参观博物馆的热情。

习近平主席一直将中国传统文化描述为国家的“根和魂”。中国共产党第二十届中央委员会第三次全体会议于7月通过的决议也呼吁保护遗产、提升文化服务和产品、提升中华文化的魅力。

作为一名历史专业的本科生,我非常钦佩中国通过开设新博物馆来放大其文化和历史的努力。这将使国内外更多人能够与中国丰富的文化遗产产生联系。

中国博物馆的增长速度非常显著,平均每两天就有一家新博物馆开馆——这一速度在全球范围内可能都是无与伦比的。这种扩张十分惊人,据2022年的报告,中国已有近7000家博物馆。

除了数量增长外,许多博物馆还利用现代技术,通过互动展览、行动学习和提供额外信息的二维码来吸引年轻人。富有创意的博物馆馆长并不把科技视为竞争对手,而是将其视为吸引更多游客的工具。我还注意到,全国许多学校正在将博物馆参观纳入核心课程和选修课程,帮助学生与国家的文化遗产建立更深层次的联系。

中国博物馆也在努力吸引国际游客。随着翻译服务的改善,以及联合国教科文组织列出的50多处世界遗产地的可见度的增加,中国的全球吸引力正在增长,这为旅游业的复苏奠定了基础。

中国人有理由为自己的历史感到自豪,因为很少有国家能与中国绵延5000年的文化遗产相媲美。更少有国家能拥有如此丰富的文物,来让这段历史栩栩如生。

以引人入胜的方式保存和呈现历史至关重要,因为它能激励当今的博物馆参观者,并推动他们在艺术、科学、技术等领域取得重大进步,并且留下持久的影响。博物馆不仅仅是物品的仓库——它们是反思、灵感和教育的场所。未来几代人的成功是建立在前人积累的知识和成就之上的。此外,对过去的尊重也在老龄化社会中培养了对老年人的尊重,这有利于社会的共同福祉。

然而,中国的博物馆馆长可能需要考虑某些领域,以进一步推动这一势头。

在许多博物馆中,应对大量访客正成为一个问题。最受欢迎的博物馆可能需要扩建设施或实施预定入馆和收取门票费用。在北京、上海和陕西省的西安等大城市举办巡回展览,也可以将高质量的博物馆体验带给其他发展中的地区。

此外,博物馆馆长们不应仅仅将保存过去视为终极目标,而应将其作为未来灵感的源泉。例如,今年在上海当代艺术博物馆举办的上海双年展,汇集了来自我所在学校昆山杜克大学以及全国各地的众多艺术家,他们共同展示了从太空探索到意识起源的多学科主题,旨在激发应对复杂全球挑战的创造性解决方案。

鉴于博物馆在促进跨文化理解方面的重要作用,改善国际游客的参观体验至关重要。可提前预约购买的国家和省级博物馆门票,有助于让外国游客更容易接触到中国的文化瑰宝。

总之,博物馆不仅仅是历史的纪念碑——它们是连接过去与未来的活生生的桥梁。在这个技术快速变革,有时会使我们身份认同的深层根源变模糊的时代,这些机构为我们提供了坚实的基础,并提醒我们文明的灵魂不仅在于其创新,也在于对逝去先辈们的智慧和创造力的崇敬。通过投资保护其文化,中国人民确保其丰富的遗产能够继续激励今世后代。

作者是中国昆山杜克大学执行副校长兼社会科学杰出教授,以及美国杜克大学杜克大学富卡商学院约翰·德布茨实践教授。本文观点不代表《中国日报》的立场。