Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng revealed at a news briefing May 25 that all the major traditional Chinese festivals have been included in the intangible cultural heritage protection list.

Sun said it is very important to protect traditional festivals and make them play their role in promoting and succeeding to the Chinese national culture.

These traditional festivals, made up of rich and colorful Chinese national culture, not only cover famous Spring Festival, Qingming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day), Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, but also include many characteristic minorities' festivals, such as the Shoton Festival of the Tibetan ethical group, the Water-splashing Festival of the Dai ethical group, and the Torch Festival of the Yi ethical group.

Sun also indicated that traditional festivals do tend to be forgotten and fade out in people's life. With solar calendar as benchmark of year counting, many Chinese festivals, normally marked by Chinese lunar calendar, are often forgotten, while people are likely to remember solar dates easily.

As a good example, however, Spring Festival has got active protection and development. Many foreign countries today also celebrate it while state leaders will deliver speeches and many grand celebrating activities will be held. Spring Festival, therefore, has become a famous brand representing Chinese culture.
 
Editor: Yan