On June 17, the Hainan Stories project launch ceremony was held in Haikou.Through the medium of oral storytelling, the project delves into the unique history, culture and customs of Hainan’s ‘melting pot of peoples’. The project initiated and hosted by the Hainan Daily Press Group will cover three main topics: Hainan Stories with Hainan's Culture, Hainan Stories with Cai Pa, and stories related to the culture bases.

Cai Pa was introducing the Hainan Stories Project. ZHANG JIE / HAINAN DAILY

As the core section of this series, Hainan Stories with Hainan's Culture will cover the fields of ethnic minority culture, folk art, and the development of Haikou's historic downtown (also called Qilou). At the project launch ceremony, the opening of the cultural bases was announced. In addition, a number of cultural scholars received recognition by being appointed as cultural advisors and researchers.

Cultural scholars received recognition by being appointed as cultural advisors and researchers. ZHANG MAO / HAINAN DAILY

According to Cai Pa, the director of Hainan Daily Oral History Research Center, Hainan’s oral history covers many areas, so they need to take a systematic approach to uncovering, recording and research. To preserve Hainan’s cultural genes, they intend to visit both towns and villages, to record oral histories from all walks of life and save those memories that would otherwise be lost.

Cui Aizhen, Vice president of Hainan Writers and Artists Association.

In addition, guests from the cultural field attending the ceremony also shared their profound understanding of Hainan culture. “The reason we started this project was to uncover the both the living culture of Hainan and its deeper historical origins. These origins are very important, and once we’ve discovered them, they can be passed down.” said Cui Aizhen, vice president of Hainan Writers and Artists Association.

Pang Dahai, Director of Changjiang Folk Art and Culture Communication Center.

“Previously, so much of history went unrecorded. So, with this project, we have the opportunity to record theses histories and cultural elements in a systematic way. For Changjiang and Hainan cultural development as a whole, especially now with the Free Trade Port, it’s important for us to consider how to utilize Changjiang’s cultural assets to make Hainan culture more appealing,” said Pang Dahai, the director of Changjiang Folk Art and Culture Communication Center.