The opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics saw the remarkable transformation of the twenty-four solar terms - a form of world-class intangible cultural heritage - into a countdown timer for the first time. Beginning with “Rain Water” and concluding with “Beginning of Spring”, the twenty-four solar terms made a breathtaking appearance in front of the global audience with a novel form of expression that combines traditional Chinese poetry, ancient Chinese proverbs, and dynamic contemporary Chinese visual art.
This unique way of expression immediately went viral online, attracting tenth of thousands of likes from Chinese netizens. Representing traditional Chinese culture, the twenty-four solar terms not only provided viewers with a visual feast but also showcased the charm of traditional Chinese culture to the world through Chinese Romanticism.
The opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics is a testament to China’s cultural confidence, revealing a rising China that has entered into a new era where it has embraced exciting new changes.
Cultural confidence is the embodiment of a nation’s power and strength.
As General Secretary Xi said, “Cultural development is closely tied to the fate of a nation, and cultural legacy is closely tied to the lifeblood of a nation.” Culture lies in the heart of every country and nation. Traditional Chinese culture is the lifeblood of Chinese culture, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation necessarily includes the revitalization of Chinese culture. Nowadays, traditional Chinese culture faces the forceful impact of Western cultures, which have taken advantage of globalization and modern technologies. Under such circumstances, China must uphold its cultural confidence. Not only had traditional Chinese culture given birth to a civilization with a long history spanning from ancient to modern times, but it has also created a miracle in human history, guiding a nation from the verge of decline towards revival. There lies the greatness of Chinese culture and the root of Chinese cultural confidence, which provide us with faith to move forward into the future while carrying forward our traditions.
Cultural confidence is by no means rootless. In his report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC, President Xi pointed out: “Rooted in a land of more than 9.6 million square kilometers, nourished by a nation’s culture of more than 5,000 years, and backed by the invincible force of more than 1.3 billion people, we have an infinitely vast stage of our era, a historical heritage of unmatched depth, and incomparable resolve that enable us to forge ahead on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Cultural heritage, national strength, and the power of the people are the roots of cultural confidence.
Wide ranging and profound, the spectrum of fine traditional Chinese culture covers a wealth of philosophical thoughts, humanitarian spirits, moral teachings, and ethical principles. From patriotic ideals to the pursuit of universal causes, from self-cultivation to the pursuit of political ambitions, these traditional ideas and thinking continue to experience creative transformations and innovative developments in adapting to contemporary Chinese culture and society, displaying a glorious cultural vitality - they make up the fundamental “cultural genes” for the Chinese nation. Thanks to these strong cultural genes, the Chinese people can uphold our cultural confidence today in the age of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society.