Beyond a sense of relaxation, Guizhou’s Village T has delivered ordinary people’s cultural confidence and pride in ethnic heritage, which is truly rare.
Village T is a fashion show rooted in everyday life, where ordinary Miao villagers take center stage. China is home to 56 distinct ethnic groups, each with its own unique characteristics.
Culture is the soul of a nation. Both history and reality have shown that a nation that abandons or betrays its own cultural heritage will not only fail to thrive but is also likely to face repeated historical tragedies. Cultural confidence is fundamental, broad, and deep-rooted—it is a more basic, profound, and enduring form of strength. Strengthening cultural confidence is a crucial issue tied to the rise and fall of national fortunes, cultural security, and the independence of a nation’s spirit.
The key elements of cultural confidence include:
1. Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Culture
Cultural confidence first requires a nation or ethnic group to inherit its traditional culture, protect and promote traditional values, history, and art. Without learning and passing on the culture of the past, developing new culture has no foundation and becomes empty. Understanding a nation’s past, preserving its essence, and paving the way for the future is critical. By innovating on the basis of tradition, culture can adapt to modern society and remain vibrant.
2. Cultural Exchange and Dialogue Among Ordinary People
If international cultural exchanges seem distant from ordinary people, a short provincial trip can provide accessible opportunities to experience different cultures. Through firsthand experiences—seeing, hearing, and participating in the customs and traditions of other ethnic groups—the path to mutual understanding becomes much broader. For instance, when you join in a lively Water-Splashing Festival, where people sing and dance while tossing water as a symbol of blessing, you realize that this is the Dai people’s New Year. Or, when you grab a torch to sing and dance at the Torch Festival, celebrating love and releasing joy with the Yi people, you begin to appreciate the beauty within these traditions. It is through participation that you understand—life can indeed be different.
In summary, Guizhou’s Village T show, by bringing ethnic culture to the forefront and engaging ordinary people, strengthens cultural confidence and fosters a renewed sense of ethnic pride. It highlights the importance of preserving and sharing traditions, while also reminding us of the richness that diversity brings to our everyday lives.