The recent Miss Bikini International competition where contestants wore traditional Chinese opera headgear has sparked a heated online debate and drawn criticism. Though the organizers of the event said they wanted to help spread Chinese culture, it is doubtful whether skimpily-dressed women in Chinese opera headgear are doing service to culture, says an article on gmw.cn. Excerpts:

For years there have been calls to promote Chinese culture and to blend Chinese and Western cultures. So any genuine attempt to do that should be welcome. But the means adopted by the bikini competition organizers to blend Chinese and Western cultures is questionable.

Reformers would say public opinion is very important for the revival of traditional operas and if the introduction of modern and fashionable elements can help attract the younger generation, such a move should be welcomed. But conservatives would question such moves because they are concerned with protecting heritage. Conservatives worry that reformers will spoil traditional culture on the pretext of innovation.

Though nothing has remained constant in the history of opera, reforms do not necessarily mean ushering weird elements into traditional operas. Vulgar and cheap elements should not be introduced to traditional operas just to draw wider audiences. If Chinese operas copy indiscriminately from modern Western culture, they may not produce good results.

Since the bikini competition organizers only borrowed the opera headgear for the event, and did not use bikinis in operas, they cannot be accused of ruining traditional culture. But since Chinese operas embody national sentiments, any attempt to use their props beyond aesthetic conceptions will shock people and hurt their cultural feelings.

Striking a balance between tradition and artistic innovation requires comprehensive investigation. The right innovations could lead to acceptable reforms, but the wrong ones could ruin an art form.

(China Daily 10/11/2012 page9)