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Biz Unusual

Historic royal park faces public anger over fair

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-05 11:51

Yuanmingyuan Park is disputing public claims they will profit from running a royal temple fair and that the event would harm the cultural heritage sites.

Chen Mingjie, director of the park's administrative office, said in an online interview on Wednesday that the park, once ruined by the armies of Britain and France 150 years ago, is just an education and entertainment place for the general public.

"Therefore, an event like a temple fair is not in conflict with the function of the park," he argued.

The park announced in January it would hold its temple fair from Feb 10 to 20 with the theme of "experiencing the royal life", arousing public dismay and fear over possible destruction of the remaining architecture.

Chen explained that the main venue of the temple fair would be at the South Gate Square, far from the cultural relics.

He said the ticket price would remain at 10 yuan despite the temple fair.

After admitting the fact that the park never cuts a profit, Chen said the intention of the fair was just to enrich the public's cultural life in the city.

"It is difficult to predict whether it will turn out to be profitable," he was quoted as saying.

According to the plan, the park will have actors dressed as an emperor and his ministers, as well as events based on the royal family of the Qing Dynasty. About 200 booths selling food will be set up.

But scholars refute the authenticity of the event, saying a traditional low-class celebration is at odds with an imperial garden like Yuanmingyuan.

"A temple fair is a traditional event celebrated by grassroots people. It is a little far-fetched to associate the temple fair with a royal atmosphere," Wang Daocheng, a professor of Qing Dynasty history from Renmin University of China told Guangming Daily.

Despite the explanation, the debate continued online.

As a place of historic significance, netizens doubted if it was appropriate to host party-like programs.

"Could we really have heartfelt laughter at such a solemn place?" a netizen using the name "Landlord" wrote on bbs.jingtime.com yesterday.