Chinese Cultural Heritage

Question 1

5 significance of customs/ festivals (intangible)

Answer 1

Historic, aesthetic, scientific/ technical, social, spiritual significance

Question 2

elab for historic significance (intangible)

Answer 2

• associated with famous people, events, places, themes
• reflected ordinary way of life of people in the past

Question 3

elab for aesthetic significance (intangible)

Answer 3

unique craftsmanship, style, design and quality of design

Question 4

elab for social significance (intangible)

Answer 4

strengthens community’s identity and social cohesion, promotes social bonding/ social solidarity

Question 5

elab for spiritual significance (intangible)

Answer 5

peace, psychological comfort

Question 6

reasons for loss of cultural heritage (5)

Answer 6

• change in lifestyle/ can’t adapt to changing social circumstances
• advancement in science & tech (doubt superstitious activities, machines replace handicraft)
• environmental awareness (violation)
• impact of foreign cultures (westernization)
• weak sense of Chinese identity

Question 7

reasons for continuation of cultural heritage (6)

Answer 7

• fun, convenient, festive atmosphere
• family influence/ inheritance
• trad values relevant/ important to lives
• religious beliefs, superstitious
• strong sense of Chinese identity
• economic benefits

Question 8

functions of cultural heritage in modern time (3)

Answer 8

• social cohesion
• understanding one’s role in the community
• economic benefits

Question 9

elab on social cohesion

Answer 9

• weak interpersonal relationship in fast-paced society -> bring people tgth, interact & communicate
• formation of collective memory -> shape sense of Chinese identity

Question 10

elab on understanding one’s role in the community

Answer 10

• understand social values/ morals more -> uphold the social values/ morals reflected in the customs

Question 11

elab on economic benefits

Answer 11

• trad festivals appeal to overseas tourists, locals spend more
• continuation of trad businesses

Question 12

what can the govt do to preserve cultural heritage?

Answer 12

institutional & policy measures: legislation, public holiday, resources allocation (e.g. subsidies, facilities, manpower)

Question 13

what are the govt’s concerns on preserving cultural heritage?

Answer 13

using public fund for smth with little demand might be a waste of resources

Question 14

what can the community do to preserve cultural heritage?

Answer 14

• pool resources tgth to organise festival celebrations
• apprenticeship

Question 15

what are the community’s concerns on preserving cultural heritage?

Answer 15

(apprenticeship) higher education level -> fewer people willing to work as manual labours

Question 16

what can the market do to preserve cultural heritage?

Answer 16

• selling trad cultural products
• repackaging and rebranding of cultural products
• modification of products (to suit taste/ demand of public)

Question 17

what are the the market’s concerns on preserving cultural heritage?

Answer 17

(modification of products) lose its original and unique appearance

Question 18

what can businessmen do to preserve cultural heritage?

Answer 18

donations, sponsorships, resources (e.g venue)

Question 19

other preservation methods of cultural heritage

Answer 19

• preserving all rituals/ practices
• revitalising it by adding new elements or simplifying them

Question 20

5 criteria of grading historic building

Answer 20

historic, aesthetic, social significance, authenticity, rarity

Question 21

elab for historic significance (tangible)

Answer 21

• associated with famous people, events, places, themes
• reflected ordinary way of life of people in the past
• reflected the historical development of hk

Question 22

elab for aesthetic significance (tangible)

Answer 22

• significant tech achievement, innovation, construction technique
• use of materials, design forms, architectural style

Question 23

elab for social significance (tangible)

Answer 23

• symbolic/ visual landmark recognised by the community
• community’s identity, sense of belonging, social cohesion

Question 24

elab for authenticity

Answer 24

• quality of buildings which have undergone little modifications -> retaining their original features

Question 25

preservation methods (4)

Answer 25

relocation/ reconstruction, revitalization, preservation, conservation

Question 26

what is relocation/ reconstruction?

Answer 26

original building demolished + moved to another site, building materials kept

Question 27

disadvantages of relocation + reconstruction

Answer 27

detach from the environment + context -> loss of cultural values

Question 28

what is revitalization?

Answer 28

original appearance kept, function changed

Question 29

features of revitalization

Answer 29

• keeps the building in use as a way to preserve it
• adaptive reuse is often the only way to balance historical, aesthetic and economic needs

Question 30

what is preservation?

Answer 30

function unchanged, may have original or modified appearance (maintenance, cleaning)

Question 31

features of preservation

Answer 31

keeps most of the significance of the historic heritage

Question 32

disadvantages of preservation

Answer 32

may not fit into nowadays surroundings -> lack of unity

Question 33

what is conservation?

Answer 33

good management which shows its cultural significance, bears witness and from the setting in which it occurs