Changsha blossoms as global cultural city

Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, will showcase its innovative media and arts industries in Paris later this month.

Changsha will feature as part of the Culture of Hunan in France, a promotional event for Hunan from Aug 28 to 31.

An exhibition of local cuisine, a performance drawing inspiration from the ancient Tongguan Porcelain Kiln and many other shows featuring aspects of Changsha will be staged in Paris.

In recent years, Changsha has seen rapid development of its cultural and creative industries, especially movie, TV and animation production, publishing, and performing arts - sectors that have already gained national prominence and international recognition.

According to the Changsha statistics bureau, the city's cultural and creative sector has maintained average annual growth of about 15 percent in recent years.

Changsha is now one of the national leaders in TV. Hunan Satellite TV, based in Changsha, was ranked China's No 2 TV brand last year, according to the ratings issued by chyxx.com, an authoritative industry information network.

The city is also home to Xiaoxiang Movie Studio, one of the country's top film production houses.

In addition, Changsha is a nationally renowned cartoon and animation industry base, with such household brand names as Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit.

The development of Changsha's cultural industry has historical connections. Changsha was one of the first batch of 24 cultural cities endorsed by the Chinese government in the early 1980s.

It is one of the few cities in China whose location has been unchanged for more than 3,000 years. That long history has left the city with a precious cultural legacy, including such archaeological sites as the Mawangdui Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) Tomb and the Tongguan Porcelain Kiln. Its national-level intangible cultural heritage includes Hunan embroidery, Hunan opera, Flower-Drum opera and the Fire God Temple Fair.

Zhang Xiangtao, head of the publicity department of the Changsha committee of the Communist Party of China, said today's Changsha highlights the protection and inheritance of its traditional culture and is developing a modern culture that can be shared by the public and the world.

In recent years, the city has hosted several international cultural events, including the Changsha International Music Festival, the Changsha International Sculpture Festival, Changsha Arts Expo, Xiangjiang Cup International Sailing Tournament, Changsha International Marathon, Orange Island International Music Festival and Liuyang River International Culture Festival.

Along with increasing economic and cultural powers, the quality of life for local residents has also increased substantially. According to Zhang, Changsha has been rated as one of the top cities for happiness by the China Institute of City Competitiveness for eight consecutive years.

In 2014, the city was recognized as one of the top Chinese cities with cultural power during the China International Urban Development Forum.

Last month, Changsha was given the title of "renowned city of culture" by culture authorities from China, Japan and South Korea.

Changsha is creating a pleasant environment for artists and those involved in the creative industries by building facilities such as concert halls, museums and libraries.

The improving environment has attracted many international artists to work or live in Changsha, including some from the United States, Austria, Russia, South Korea and Japan.

fengzhiwei@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 08/26/2016 page15)