Lack of interest in cultural activities
A survey conducted by Foshan University and Foshan Municipal Bureau of Culture showed many locals lacked interest in leisure and cultural activities organised by the government.
The survey, conducted last year, polled 8,000 people in Foshan and received 6,000 responses. The study looked at activities people took part in during their free time and their level of satisfaction.
Despite the government's effort to bring art and cultural activities to the city, residents have not shown much interest.
The government allocated 1 million yuan (HK$1.14 million) to the art industry as subsidy and introduced more than 13 cultural performances last year. But the study found that 48.9 per cent of residents never watch such performances.
Among those who had watched such performances, only 4 per cent said they were happy. Fifty-two per cent said they were not satisfied.
The study found that many residents watched TV and surfed the Net during their free time. About 43.5 per cent watched TV and browsed the internet in their spare time.
Why do people lack interest cultural activities? The study said the primary reason was the lack of publicity. Many residents did not know about the performances. The quality of cultural activities also fails to attract them.
Professor Li Xiao, leader of the survey and an associate professor from Foshan University, says the government should strengthen ties with the media to promote cultural activities. He said celebrities could lend a hand.
Li Yan, deputy director of Foshan Municipal Bureau of Culture, agrees. She says celebrities should help promote martial arts, Cantonese opera and other cultural activities.
'We will try our best to raise residents' interest in culture and the arts,' she says.
