Folk murals in Pingnan County, Guangxi: protection and inheritance of cultural heritage

Abstract

The research purposes of this article are: (1) To study the history and development of Pingnan folk murals. (2) Study the current situation and problems of folk murals in Pingnan County, Guangxi. (3) Study the protection and inheritance of folk murals in Pingnan County, Guangxi. This article uses qualitative methods to research and analyze relevant information and literature on folk murals in Pingnan, Guangxi. This study selected 7 key informants, 15 informal informants and 20 general informants to collect and organize data through field research, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Research achieves research results through data analysis and research. The result is as follows: 1) Before the formation of folk murals in Pingnan, the Pingnan area was incorporated into the Central Plains from the Qin and Han Dynasties. After the Tang and Song Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was deeply integrated with the Central Plains culture, allowing murals to form a trend and spread through population migration. From the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the Republic of China, modern military immigrants brought mural culture. During the Republic of China, Chinese and Western elements were integrated to show a new style, forming today's existing murals. However, between the Republic of China and 2024, murals encountered war turmoil and marginalization, and their number decreased sharply. Modernization and urbanization once again challenged the survival of murals. After three development periods (Qin and Han - Ming and Qing Dynasties, Ming and Qing - Republic of China, and Republic of China - 2024), after the founding of New China, the government attached great importance to protection and brought new changes. 2) Folk murals in Pingnan County, Guangxi carry profound historical and cultural charm. This study explains that murals face multiple difficulties: erosion of the natural environment, shortage of funds, changes in the cultural environment, conflicts between innovation and tradition, penetration of secular interests and urban demolition, etc., which all seriously threaten their survival and accelerate their demise. 3) In response to the challenges faced by the preservation of murals in Pingnan County and issues such as cultural identity, economy, and inheritance, we have proposed a series of protection measures, including anti-aging treatment, repairing diseases, enhancing cultural identity, developing mural tourism and derivatives, and utilizing Digital technology, and record assessment of cultural heritage. Inheritance and development also require professional teams to explore value, lively inherit, strengthen protection and restoration, and cultivate the younger generation. Pingnan County has significantly enhanced public awareness and love for murals through diversified strategies, contributing to the inheritance of murals and the prosperity of local culture. The conclusions drawn from this study can provide a path reference for the protection and inheritance of folk murals in Pingnan County, Guangxi, increase the historical blank of murals in the Ming and Qing Dynasties in the Lingnan area, enhance cultural visibility, promote cultural heritage protection and tourism development, and provide guidance for the Pingnan area. to achieve the dual benefits of economic prosperity and cultural revitalization.

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