[Asieh Namdar, Cnn Anchor:] Traditional handicrafts used to be a big part of celebrations of the Chinese New Year. But folk art fell out of favor when the country began to modernize. Now the winds of change are blowing again. China's CCTV reports on the rising demand for a breath of the past.
[Han Bin, Cctv Correspondent:] This Lunar New Year, craftsman Liang Jun is having one of the busiest holidays of his life. Every day he makes as many traditional pinwheels as he can for the festival markets. But he still can't keep up with the booming demand. Jun makes them himself with bamboo slices, yellow clay and colorful paper, but his are no ordinary pinwheels. As many as 100 wheels can be added to one pin, and they sound unusually loud when waved through the air or blown by the wind. The 65-year-old man learned the craft from his grandfather. Ever since, this magic sound has been a part of his life.
[Liang Jun, Artisan:] My only hobby is making the pinwheels. I want to make them special.
[Bin:] Liang Jun recalls that when he was a child there were over 300 colorful types of traditional handicrafts shown at the New Year's table fairs. Today, no more than 30 can be found. Most have disappeared due to a lack of care. However, with the rise of living standards and lifestyles, more and more people are desiring a little reminder of the past. [on camera]: Liang Jun and many other traditional craftsmen are introducing their wares to the locals at an ongoing fair during the spring festival. They're doing this to make their handicrafts popular among today's people, especially the younger generations. [voice-over]: At this department store in Beijing's busiest downtown commercial center, these craftsmen are displaying their old- style homemade crafts. The event has attracted scores of customers, and also aroused great interest in the traditional ways of celebrating the spring festival.
[Unidentified Female:] Although children know about holidays like the new year and Christmas, they know little about these old things. These traditional handicrafts are actually very attractive to them.
[Bin:] Liang Jun is busier making the pinwheels these days. He will even sacrifice his family reunions on New Year's Eve to show his handiwork at a temple fair, yet he feels happy for he knows that his pinwheels will enter more family homes, bringing happiness and good luck to many people. This is Han Bin of China Central Television for CNN WORLD REPORT.