Comedian calls for traditional folk arts in schools

Jiang Kun, vice-chairman of the Chinese Quyi Association and a member of the CPPCC, has proposed that traditional folk arts be included in primary and middle school curricula.

Traditional folk arts include regional forms of opera, storytelling, crosstalk, and etc.

"I have received many letters from teenagers using the wrong characters in naming traditional folk arts, because they do not truly understand what the words stand for," said Jiang, who is one of China's most popular crosstalk comedians, "Chinese literature does not include much about Chinese folk culture either."

Jiang said it is important to include traditional folk culture into early education, so that children learn about its value at an early age.

"I sincerely hope that kids do not have to wait until college to learn about these traditional folk arts," Jiang said.