Cultural Hunan

Historical Figures of Hunan

A large number of figures of outstanding talents have emerged in the history of Hunan province, so Hunan enjoys the reputation of "The Kingdom of Chu, the unique home of talents people, The Province of Hunan, the very cradle of all ". In 105A.D.Cai Lun, who was from Leiyang of Hunan, improved papermaking technology and produced the first piece of paper from multiple plant fibers, which has been honored as one of “Four Great Inventions” in ancient China. Zhou Dunyi, the founder of the Confucian school of idealist philosophy in the Song and Ming Dynasties was from Yongzhou of Hunan. Wang Fuzhi, an outstanding thinker of China in 17th century, was from Hengyang of Hunan. During the 79 years from the Opium War and the May Fourth Movement, Hunan province witnessed the appearance of many important figures in Modern Chinese history, such as Wei Yuan , Zeng Guofan, He Shaoji, Zuo Zongtang, Tan Sitong, Chen Tianhua, Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren. 83 people from Hunan in this period are listed in the Dictionary of Historical Celebrities in China, accounting for 10.9% of the total numbers of celebrities listed in the book. From May Fourth Movement to the New Democratic Revolution or even to the socialist revolution and construction period, a great number of Party leaders, government officials and military figures emerged from this province, the outstanding representatives of which are Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen, Ren Bishi, Liu Shaoqi, Peng Dehuai, He Long, and Luo Ronghuan. Meanwhile, a large group of geniuses of literature, arts, science and education came forth, such as Qi Baishi-the great master of Chinese painting, Tian Han-the playwright, Shen Congwen-the litterateur, Zhou Libo-the writer, and Chen Guoda-the founder of Geodegression Theory.

History of Hunan

1.	Mao Zedong, a Celebrity from Hunan
	Mao Zedong, also well known as Chairman Mao, is a great man in human history. Mao Zedong was born in Shaoshan on the December 26, 1893, and died on the September 9, 1976 at the age of 83. In the field of philosophy, Mao's ideas are considered culturally significant rather than original; still, his ideas have had a monumental impact on generations of Chinese, and have significantly affected the rest of the world. One significant idea was his view of peasants as the source of revolution. He also built on the theories of Hegel, Marx, and Taoism to create a new theory of materialist dialectics. Mao developed more practical ideas, such as a three-stage theory of guerilla warfare and the concept of the people's democratic dictatorship. Mao is the attributed author of Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong, known in the West as the "Little Red Book", which is certainly his best known work. He wrote several other philosophical treatises, both before and after he assumed power. These include: On Practice, 1937 On Contradiction, 1937 On New Democracy, 1940 On Literature and Art, 1942 On the Correct Handling of the Contradictions Among the People, 1957

2.	Regional Culture: Hunan Huagu Opera

	Hunan Huagu Opera is the general name for minor local opera genres in Hunan Province, such as Changsha Huaguxi, Hengyang Huaguxi and Shaoyang Huaguxi which adopted the names of the regions where they are prevalent. Each opera has its own distinctive style. Derived from Hunan folk songs, it has developed from a two-role drama (a female and a clown) to a three-role drama (a young female, a young male and a clown). There are more than 400 traditional plays and 300 tunes in its repertoire. According to their formal structure and musical style, these tunes can be divided into four types: Chuan Diao, Daluoqiang, Paizi and Xiaodiao, all having a plain and straightforward local colour. Small Suona and percussions are the main accompanying instruments. The tunes are brisk and lively, particularly suitable to dancing-singing operas. The performance featuring the parts of female lead, young men and clown has distinctive artistic characteristics. There are more than 210 traditional plays for huagu opera, of which Liuhai Cuts Firewood and Kite flying won prizes at the national level. In terms of modern operatic creation, plays of influence created during the 1950s include Sister and Sisters-in-Law and Father Luosi Buying an Ox During the 1980s, more than 100 plays won prizes. Famous plays include Liuhai Kan Qiao (Liuhai Cuts Firewoods), Da tie (Stinthy) and Xi Caixin(Washing leaves). Famous performers are Liao Chunshan, Wang Yousheng and Zhang Shusheng.