Don't expect the public to love poetry after watching a few TV shows

3. The cultural TV shows such as Chinese Poetry Conference and Readers are getting popular these days, have you ever watched the shows?

Feng: That's good. While it is only a beginning and an attempt, it can spark people's interests in ancient Chinese poetry on a certain level. Don't expect too much from just a few TV shows. Culture influences people mainly through influencing their souls and temperaments, and not just by making a few TV shows to catch the public's eye.

4. What is the authentic influence of culture?

Feng: As a CPPCC member, I proposed before that China should set up a Cultural Heritage Day. I know this from France, and each year on this day, all the museums in France are free, and all schools and communities encourage people to get close to cultural heritage.

I even participated in a poetry reading event in a community in Austria. I was exhibiting my paintings at a house in the suburbs where my Chinese friend was reading poetry, and then local residents also came to read their poetry or perform a folk song, all spontaneously. If people have such cultural self-consciousness, the whole nation's culture and civilization can be activated.

5. It sounds beautiful. When can we have such cultural self-consciousness?

Feng: This will be a long process. We can't forget Chinese culture's roots, but we can absorb the essence of foreign culture. The artistic cultivation of a person needs a slow process which can't be accomplished with quick action.

6. Will the popular cultural TV shows help?

Feng: It won't work for all. I know almost all the poetry in the show, so it works a little on me. Some people have little interest in poetry, and the shows won't work on him, either. It's easy to only concentrate on popular things now. However, art and culture have abundant connotations.

7. How should we foster the public's cultural self-consciousness?

Feng: I think that to develop traditional culture, one not only needs the opening of national museums, but also needs more opening of private museums. Foundations and people from all walks of life should develop the culture together, to make people have more immaterial pursuits, instead of focusing only on making more money.

Culture is fundamentally people-oriented and exists to enrich people's inner mind. People should learn art, and learn to experience life in a beautiful way. Some people have said this is too luxurious. I replied that if we never bring luxury in enjoying the beauty of our culture, then we are being too materialistic.