The literary era since 1979

Chapter 153 Proposal for World Heritage
Early in the morning in Nanluoguxiang, the sparrows on the branches are chattering.

Fangyan was wearing something different today than usual, a white stand-up collar shirt with a black Mao suit on the outside.

"Yanzi, how do you feel about this outfit?"

When Fang Hong learned that her brother was going to attend a China-Japan cultural exchange event, she specially asked the master craftsman of Hongdu Clothing to tailor his clothes for her.

"Sister, it's fine."

Fangyan nodded with satisfaction. After all, Hongdu Clothing provides customized services to the Zhongnanhai, diplomatic missions in Beijing, and diplomats.

"Look again, look again."

Fang Hong looked from top to bottom, and would not let go of even a thread. "Don't be careless at all."

Yang Xia said seriously: "Your sister is right. It's okay for us to lose face, but we must never lose face for the country."

"How about I wear this to the ministry meeting?"

Dialects are buttoned up one button at a time.

"Yes, yes, let others take a look to see if there is any problem."

So, under the watchful eyes of Fang Hong and Yang Xia, he left the courtyard and came to the Ministry of Culture building on Shatan North Street with ease.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw the lobby was crowded with people. Some rushed towards the stairs, while others stayed where they were.

"Teacher Fang!"

Suddenly, a surprised voice came from the crowd.

Fang Yan looked in the direction of the voice and saw Suzuki Yoko, Hashimoto Yui, and Bai Ruoxue walking towards him. He was very surprised:
"Are you here for a meeting too?"

"more or less."

Bai Ruoxue said that they were here to attend a foreign affairs reception training course jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Chinese and Foreign Languages ​​Committee and other relevant departments.

"Teacher Fang!"

Suzuki Yoko smiled and said, "We have completed the translation of That Mountain, That Man, That Dog."

Fang Yan watched her take out the translation manuscript she carried with her from her bag. It was densely written in Japanese. He had only learned it not long ago, and the complicated sentences were basically incomprehensible. He turned to look at Bai Ruoxue, "What do you and your teacher think?"

"it is good!"

Bai Ruoxue relayed Chen Tao's evaluation, "Based on Yoko and Yui's work, Mr. Chen made some minor revisions and polishes."

Suzuki Yoko's tone was full of gratitude. "Mr. Chen really taught us a lot. With his guidance, the translation is more natural, smooth, fresh and beautiful, and in line with the original meaning of the novel."

"Thank you."

Fang Yan felt relieved and said, "Thank Mr. Chen for me too."

Bai Ruoxue agreed with a smile, "Mr. Chen heard that this novel will be used for Sino-Japanese literary exchanges, and he is very happy to help."

Fangyan held a book in each hand, one of which was a revised draft with many scribblings, and the other was a clean transcription. "Yoko, when the cultural exchange group visits China, you can show this to your father and let him see the results of your years of studying abroad."

"Hi!"

Suzuki Yoko was excited, "I want to thank Mr. Fang for giving me this precious opportunity to perform. I will not let you down!"

“Can you lend me this revised manuscript?”

"Please take this copy. We have made more than one copy."

"That's daring."

Fang Yan planned to bring the transcript to Zhou Weizhi, Zhang Guangnian and others. After getting their consent, he went straight to the meeting room.

The Japanese cultural exchange group will arrive in Yenching on March 3 and attend a welcome party in the evening.

The visitors to China this time are basically representatives from Japan's publishing, literary, film and media circles, and they will be accompanied by reporters from Japanese newspapers. Therefore, the exchange activities between the two countries will mainly focus on literature and film and will last for a week.

For literature, it is scheduled from March 3rd to March 3th.

After discussing the specific activity arrangements, reception precautions, etc., the entire meeting ended.

Fangyan submitted the translation manuscript of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" for departmental review to avoid taboos or omissions.

"Your novel is probably the most likely work to be introduced to Japan among the entire recommended list."

Zhou Weizhi, Zhang Guangnian, Zhou Yang and others looked at each other.

Fangyan gave a faint smile.

Recommendation is recommendation, but it does not mean that it will definitely be published.

How many of the books on this list can be introduced into Japan depends on publishing houses like Yuhikaku.

"In addition to That Mountain, That Man, That Dog, your The Great Qin Splitting and Under the Hawthorn Tree are also on the list."

Zhou Weizhi handed the manuscript to his secretary.

“Originally, your recently highly anticipated film A Bite of China should have appeared on the list, but unfortunately it was published a little late,” Zhang Guangnian said with regret.

Fangyan learned from them that the publication time of the essay collection was half a month later than the approval time of the recommendation list. It had already been decided by the higher-ups and could not be changed at the last minute.

Zhou Weizhi said that although he was not included in the list this time, he could appear in cultural exchange activities between China and France, China and the United States, etc.

"I have a suggestion, I wonder if I should say it?"

Fangyan thought for a while before speaking. "It's okay to say it."

Zhang Guangnian and others gave them encouraging looks.

"As the saying goes, seeing is believing."

Fangyan said that although "A Bite of China" has a very accurate description of the food, it is just words after all. No matter how beautifully written it is, it cannot be as intuitive and real as a photo or a movie.

"You mean you want to make 'A Bite of China' into a movie?" Zhou Weizhi narrowed his eyes.

"You're right, it's made into a documentary."

Fangyan nodded and said, "But we don't have to film A Bite of China. We can also film some traditional food from all over the country that can represent Chinese food culture."

"Your idea sounds good, keep going."

Zhang Guangnian, Zhou Weizhi and others looked at each other.

"I wonder if the ministry can take the lead in organizing the food documentary, so that it can be shown not only for cultural exchange groups from various countries, but also in these countries and regions, or even broadcast in Southeast Asia?"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately aroused the interest of all the bigwigs.

"You, you always come up with something new for me."

"Xiao Fang always has some creative thinking and can always come up with surprising ideas!"

"........."

Everyone was discussing this, and Hu Muqiao was very interested. "Why did you think of broadcasting this documentary overseas?"

Fangyan replied that since the publication of "A Bite of China", he has received many letters from educated youth living in foreign countries.

From these letters, one can feel that no matter where one wanders, the taste of hometown is eternal, and it is the homesickness hidden in the taste buds.

Opening your taste buds is like opening the door to memories of your hometown.

This is true for the educated youth across the country, our compatriots in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, and overseas Chinese around the world, isn't it the same?

“You want to use the food documentary as an opportunity!”

Hu Muqiao and others realized that this was not only an opportunity to promote Chinese cuisine to the world, but also seemed to have great value in united front work.

"Xiao Fang, what else did you think of?"

"Say it all, say it boldly!"

Zhou Weizhi's eyes were bright.

He knows all the dialects by heart and gives examples one by one.

For example, hold a national cooking competition or food festival.

(PS: In 83, Guangzhou held the “Famous Dishes Evaluation Exhibition”, which was the predecessor of Guangzhou International Food Festival)

For example, we can apply for world heritage status for our Chinese cuisine, as well as the culture and festivals formed by it, such as rice dumplings and the Dragon Boat Festival.

"Apply for World Heritage status?"

Zhou Weizhi, Hu Muqiao and others looked at each other.

“Apply for World Heritage!”

The dialect is spoken with certainty.

Unfortunately, however, staff from the cultural department explained that there is currently no "intangible cultural heritage protection."

In the 70s, UNESCO launched the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which stipulated the definitions of cultural heritage and natural heritage. The World Heritage List established in 78 basically consists of tangible cultural heritage.

But in recent years, countries such as France and Japan have been trying to include their own cuisine in the cultural heritage list.

"If we can successfully join the World Heritage Convention, we can be like France in the future."

The staff member said, "We are applying to have China's food culture and folk festivals listed as cultural heritage."

“It’s not just about food.”

Zhou Weizhi said solemnly, "Architecture, literature, opera, traditional Chinese medicine, China has many cultural heritages that are worth protecting."

Hu Muqiao said with emotion: "China is vast and rich in resources, and Chinese civilization has a long history. The cultural treasures accumulated are incomparable to other countries in the world."

"That is why we should cherish and protect the roots of our culture, which is to protect the roots of literature."

Fangyan said seriously.

“The roots of culture and literature.”

Zhang Guangnian smiled and said, "Your idea is consistent with the previous 'cultural confidence'."

"Hahaha!"

In an instant, all the big guys looked at this "little group darling" with admiration in their eyes and laughed out loud.

Fangyan also smiled.

Eat one bite at a time and do things one at a time.

Obviously, Hu Muqiao, Zhou Weizhi and others are very concerned about making "A Bite of China" into a documentary.

(End of this chapter)