Young people acquire skills in culture centers

जन आस्था

चैत १३, २०८०

Recent years have witnessed more and more young people spending their spare time in cultural centers, learning knowledge, acquiring skills, and making friends. Cultural centers across the country are adapting to meet the new demands of young people by offering evening and staggered services.

25-year-old You Jiahao, who works in a hospital, has been riding for 40 minutes to the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center every Wednesday evening since the second half of last year. "Everyone in our office is rushing to sign up for training courses, but I'm the only one who managed to get in," said You with pride.

Calligraphy, Peking Opera, traditional Chinese button knotting, cello, ballet, skills for cleaning and storage are courses provided in culture centers. The Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center still operates during evenings and weekends in 2023.

Zhao Xue, a girl born in the 1990s, had never touched a cello before. In September last year, she managed to secure a spot in the cello training class at the center. "Although I have to take a one-hour subway ride to attend classes each time, it's one of the happiest things I do every day. I've always wanted to learn an instrument and meeting different people," said Zhao Xue with a smile.

Similar courses are also available in Zhuzhou city of Hunan province. Long Jingqing, the director of the Zhuzhou City Cultural Center, said, "Since last year, we have actively created new public cultural services and set up street art stations in alleys, allowing students not only to learn skills but also to have the opportunity to perform on stage, be the protagonist, and win applause."

According to statistics, all 16 stations in Zhuzhou completed more than 1,100 regular performances and nearly 200 theme activities in 2023, benefiting more than 150,000 people.

Today, many newcomers in cities are young people. As the material living standards of them improve, they need a more diverse and high-quality spiritual and cultural life. Last year the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center launched 157 courses, mainly scheduled after 7 p.m. each day and on weekends, offering over 3,100 training hours throughout the year, benefiting more than 90,000 students.

"We come to the center for professional guidance in spare time and then perform at the art station in the evening." Every Thursday evening, citizen Tan Meiling goes to the center to learn choir singing. "I never miss a class. It releases me stress," added Tan.