Building a Cultural Communication Bridge with the New Charm of Ancient Houses - Stories of Three "Foreigners" and Traditional Villages
2023-04-28
On the land of ancient China, there are scattered traditional villages with different characteristics. The distant history and charming scenery make people want to return, protect, and place time here. Here, there are three stories of foreigners guarding traditional dwellings. They renovate old buildings to give them new vitality. Story 1: "The old house is here, and the spiritual temperament of the ancient village is there." Spring returns and the sun warms, and the grass grows and the birds fly. In Jiuxian Village, Baisha Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, South African architect Ian Hamlington welcomed the 14th spring of village life. 20 years ago, by chance, Ian came to Jiuxian Village and fell in love with the local traditional houses at first sight. Seeing some villagers demolishing old houses and building cement houses, he had a desire to save an old house. This wish takes root like grass. In 2009, I came to Jiuxian Village again and rented a total of six old houses from 2010 to 2012, for 20 years each, "Ian said. From then on, Jiuxian Village became his "second hometown". Along with the old masters in the village, Ian adheres to the principle of maximizing the restoration of traditional architectural features, repairing the dilapidated courtyard walls, and preserving every piece of furniture in the house as much as possible. Through modern craftsmanship, they continue to function. He often goes to the villagers' houses to "pick up garbage", the abandoned windows are transformed into characteristic coffee tables, the tattered rice buckets are transformed into alternative storage boxes, and the bamboo hat and coir raincoat become three-dimensional decorative paintings on the walls... In 2011, Ian completed the renovation of his first old house and opened his first homestay. Ian said that as transportation becomes more convenient, more and more tourists come to the old county village, and his renovated homestay has become a model for protecting the old houses in the village. After Jiuxian Village was included in the list of traditional Chinese villages in 2012, local residents and foreign investors have carried out repairs and renovations to traditional houses, bringing new vitality to many old rural houses. More and more people are realizing the value of old houses. These old houses use local materials, fully consider the local climate, historical and cultural factors, and live in warm winters and cool summers, making them very comfortable, "Ian said. In 7 years, Ian's first rented old house will be returned to its owner. When the reporter asked him if he would feel reluctant or feel "at a loss," Ian smiled and said that over the years, he had become a part of the village. During weddings and funerals, as well as the birth of children, the villagers would invite him to attend ceremonies, which made life very meaningful. Walking in the countryside, Ian is busy renting and repairing more old houses, giving more people who yearn for a true and simple life a spiritual home. The old house is here, and the spiritual temperament of the ancient village is there, "he said. Story 2: "I am a 'little potato' and willing to make my own contribution to the cultural exchange between China and the West." At the foot of Cangshan Mountain and by the bank of Erhai Lake, in Chengbei Village, Xizhou Town, Dali, Yunnan, American Lin Denggang finished his book sharing session on "Finding Hometown in China" and returned to Xilinyuan Inn. Xilin Garden was originally an old mansion during the Republic of China period and is a key cultural relic protection unit in China. More than 10 years ago, Linden quit his job in the United States and sold his house. He brought his wife and two children to Chengbei Village and was commissioned by the local government to repair and build this approximately 1800 square meter mansion. For better repair of old houses and protection
Edit：Guanguan Responsible editor：Niexiaoqian
Source：XinhuaNet
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