As the Spring Festival approaches, Sunjiagou Village in Linxian County, Shanxi Province, which is located in the deep of Luliang Mountain, is bustling. A Spring Festival Art Exhibition is being held here with the theme of "Hometown". This is the fifth Spring Festival Art Exhibition held in the village. In this exhibition, more than 100 young and middle-aged painters from inside and outside the province participated with their works, including not only local young painters in Lvliang, but also many well-known painters.

Unlike other exhibitions, this one is not only held in the countryside, but also in the cave art museum. Each cave is a small exhibition area in this courtyard, which is built near the mountain and consists of dozens of caves of different sizes, with two floors above and below. After the establishment of the art museum, various art exhibitions and other art activities are often held. Over four years, more than 30 art exhibitions have been held.

The holding of art activities not only attracted some artists to Sunjiagou Village, but also revitalized many ancient cave buildings in the village. Sunjiagou Village has become a sketching base for students of art departments of various colleges and universities. At present, there are nearly 10 sketch bases signed by the Academy of Fine Arts. "With a long history, profound culture, simple folk customs and unique scenery, it is a good base for creation, training and exhibition," said Sun Qianghua, a painter from Chongqing.

Since 2019, with the support of relevant departments at county and township levels, Sunjiagou Village has begun to protect ancient villages and build sketch bases. The unique ancient building culture, thick red history and rich artistic atmosphere endow Sunjiagou with vitality. The ancient buildings are alive and Sunjiagou is on fire. "Now there are six or seven college students coming here to sketch." Wang Jianlong, secretary of the village party branch, said that two tourism companies in Shanxi Province have also opened a one-day tour line "Taiyuan Sunjiagou", which has attracted many tourists to visit Sunjiagou Village.

The establishment of the art museum has enhanced the popularity of the ancient village, promoted the development of rural tourism, increased the income of local farmers, and injected impetus into the economic development of Sunjiagou Village. Ma Ailian was one of the first villagers in the village to open farmhouse and homestay. "In the first year, she earned thousands of yuan, in the second year, she earned more than 10000 yuan, and last year, she earned 60000 yuan or 70000 yuan."

In 2022, Sunjiagou Village was identified as a provincial demonstration village for rural revitalization. "Now, our agricultural products such as walnuts, jujube and millet are also selling better." Wang Jianlong said that in the next step, he will continue to rely on the art museum and red resources to build Sunjiagou Village into a high-quality sketching base and tourism base, attracting more painters, students and tourists to draw and travel in the village.

People's Daily (February 8, 2024, version 12)

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