Footprint 17: Taking selfies in the countryside 足迹17: 在乡村玩自拍

(中文翻译在英文正文之后)

How do you make a mining-exploited landscape attractive again? During my walks in rural Zhejiang, I came across many selfie spots where people pose. Among them are bloggers, vloggers and even internet celebrities. They pose against rustic rural settings, ranging from a centuries-old tree to abandoned buildings, whether renovated or not.

Posting yourself dressed in Hanfu on Chinese social media is extremely popular. New Hanfu is based on Chinese traditional clothing styles during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It is especially popular among women, of a wide age range and, according to some scholars, generally well educated. This phenomenon is in several cases stimulated and facilitated with new infrastructures by government programs, aimed at reviving and strengthening China’s cultural identity.

Styles related to other dynasties are also used. According to several of my walking fellows, the aesthetics of the (Southern) Song Dynasty (1127-1279) is currently the most popular in Zhejiang, referring to a period when Hangzhou was the national capital.

I visited photo studios and costume rental studios, sometimes in temporary pop-up tents. I even met local officials who allowed themselves to be filmed in Hanfu, in order to promote their village.

It is hopeful that the aesthetic qualities of the countryside are so appreciated. It also provides some new employment opportunities for the local population. At the same time, this phenomenon gives a feeling of transience. More and more beautiful places are being ‘discovered’. Free time is limited and posing opportunities depend on the weather forecast. More is needed for structural solutions. But it is an indicator that shows that the attractiveness and appreciation of rural areas is increasing significantly. Not that long ago, many of these places were impoverished or polluted.

如何让荒芜的风景再次变得迷人?我在浙江农村途步时,发现了很多自拍点,各种年龄段的人都在这里摆姿势。他们当中有博主、视频博主,甚至还有网红。他们以质朴的乡村环境为背景,从百年老树到废弃的建筑物,无论它们是否经过翻修。 在中国社交媒体上发布自己身着汉服的照片非常受欢迎。新汉服以汉代(公元前 206 年 – 公元 220 年)的中国传统服饰风格为基础。它在女性中尤其受欢迎,她们的年龄跨度很广,据一些学者称,她们普遍受过良好的教育。在一些情况下,这种现象得到了政府旨在振兴和加强中国文化认同的项目的新基础设施的刺激和推动。

其他朝代相关的风格也被采用。据几位徒步者说,目前这里最流行的是南宋(1127-1279年)的美学,指的是杭州作为南宋首都时期。 我参观了摄影工作室和服装租赁工作室,有时是在临时搭建的帐篷里。我甚至遇到了允许自己穿着汉服拍摄的当地官员,以宣传他们的村庄。

希望乡村的美学品质能被更多地欣赏。它还能为当地人口提供一些就业机会。同时,这种现象给人一种转瞬即逝的感觉。越来越多的景色优美的地方被“发现”。就旅游而言空闲时间有限,而且多取决于天气。更重要的是结构性解决方案。但它确实有助于显著提高吸引力。其实许多这些地方不久前都是贫穷或污染地区。

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