Wenzhou strives to burnish its image with culture

Bustling rural culture center

Beyond the downtown areas, Wenzhou has set up cultural establishments with many more functions than the 24-hour libraries. These culture centers, such as the one in Zhangli Village of Lucheng District, offer a variety of activities including dance lessons and opera performances.

"My family members and friends are living abroad, so there were not any activities for entertainment, and life was a little boring," said 86-year-old Zhang Chongxiao, who lives in Zhangli Village. "Now the culture center has many activities to attend, so I find many things to do."

Every Friday, the Wenzhou opera troupe would come and perform at the rural culture center, and Zhang along with most of the elders in the village would go and watch.

"The rural culture center has become an essential part in the villagers' lives," Village secretary Bao Aitong said.

Chen Xiaochun, a 56-year-old villager, goes to the culture center every day with her friends to take traditional Chinese dance lessons from a professional instructor.

"Thanks to the village committee that invites some professional teachers to help us, we feel more motivated than before," she said. "We are very happy in such a fulfilling life."

In Wenzhou, many villages have their own culture centers. Through this October, the city has built 1,156 rural culture centers, offering comprehensive culture services, promoting traditional folk art, and enriching the villagers' lives.

According to Bao, most of the rural culture centers were rebuilt from old buildings. The centers receive funding from the local governments, while villagers also set up funds through public fundraising.

In addition, university students in Wenzhou were encouraged to go to the rural culture center to offer culture service to the villagers.