With the development of global integration, the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western cultures are becoming more and more frequent. Some Western festivals are also gradually known and celebrated by Chinese. But in recent years, with the rise of national pride and cultural self-confidence, some voices have begun to question the significance of Western festivals, urging everyone not to indulge in them. By analyzing the various dimensions of this social phenomenon, this article points out that there are problems with simply boycotting Western festivals, and at the same time, we need to have the right value orientation, learn from its strengths while not forgetting our roots and being based on the local community.
1. Phenomenon analysis
Whenever some important festivals in the West come, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc., there will be official documents issued to remind everyone to be wary of the influence of Western culture and prohibit the celebration of these holidays. So, are these festivals really harmful?Why can't it be celebrated?
Some people believe that many Western festivals are closely related to religion. For example, Christmas is a religious holiday, and Thanksgiving is also related to Protestant traditions. If we celebrate these holidays, we are embracing Western religious beliefs and cultural values, which is inconsistent with China's mainstream ideology. It is also argued that these festivals are essentially part of capitalist consumer culture. In order to stimulate consumption, manufacturers and merchants create festival needs and mislead people into blind consumption. Again, this consumerist mentality should not spread in China.
Of course, there is no shortage of people who support the celebration of Western holidays. They believe that it is just a manifestation of cultural exchange. The Gregorian calendar used in China is the Western calendar, and it is normal to live according to the West, and it has nothing to do with political ideology. The younger generation celebrates these festivals mainly for fun and partying, and does not equate them with religious beliefs.
2. Problem analysis
The reason for the paradoxical boycott of Western festivals can be roughly boiled down to two aspects:
The first is the lack of a proper understanding of Western culture. Chinese cultural self-confidence is currently on the rise, and if cultural self-confidence becomes cultural blind self-confidence, it can easily lead to a wrong perception of other countries' cultures. The relevance of Western festivals to religious beliefs is not absolute. Most of them have become secularized, and they are an opportunity for entertainment and gatherings.
Second, there is a lack of rational understanding of globalization. The development of any culture requires the absorption of the strengths of other cultures. If China wants to move towards the world stage, it needs to be inclusive. Too much restraint of Western culture is not conducive to China's communication with the world.
3. Suggestions and countermeasures
Based on the above analysis, the author believes that China should adopt a more open and inclusive attitude towards Western festivals, and do a good job in guiding to prevent cultural misinterpretation. The specific recommendations are as follows:
* A more accommodative policy should be adopted at the level. Don't ban Western festivals, but set up relevant departments to do a good job of guiding them. ** The popularization of Western culture should be strengthened. Let the common people correctly understand the essence of Western festivals, strip them of their religious cloaks, and prevent cultural misreading. Schools should offer relevant courses. Through the channels of formal education, students will develop the ability to distinguish between right and wrong and accept all rivers. On a personal level, it can be celebrated in the open. Chinese and Western cultures are a process of mutual learning and exchange.
Netizen comments:
Some netizens said: I agree with the author's point of view. Cultural exchange between China and the West is a process of dynamic equilibrium, and it is necessary to find a balance. If it is too closed to resist Western culture, it will be difficult for Chinese culture to innovate. Some netizens also said: I don't completely agree with the author's opinion. In recent years, the West's prejudice against China has become increasingly apparent, and China also needs to maintain its cultural independence and avoid following the West completely.
Some netizens said: As a post-80s generation, I have spent Christmas since I was a child. Not only did it not affect my Chinese identity, but it increased my knowledge. It is really naïve to stifle normal cultural exchanges.
Summary and Suggestions:
By analyzing the various aspects of the social phenomenon of boycotting Western festivals, this paper points out that there are certain problems with this practice, which can easily lead to cultural estrangement and misinterpretation. Cultural exchanges between China and the West need to find a balance between openness and prevention in order to achieve true mutual learning and mutual learning. Personally, it is not only harmless to participate in Western festivals in an open and honest way, but also helps to increase knowledge. Of course, it is also necessary to remain sober and rational in value judgment to prevent the negative impact of cultural competition.
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