Recently, one of the key topics of faith among provinces and citizens, “Investigation and Research on Wenzhou Folk Beliefs”, was officially published by the Religious Culture Publishing House. Previously, the research team visited nearly 100 representative folk belief sites in all counties (cities and districts) and more than 30 townships (streets) in Wenzhou, and collected relevant archives, old chronicles, anthologies, inscriptions and other materials and oral materials.
Wenzhou is located at the junction of Zhejiang and Fujian, where folk beliefs have flourished since ancient times, diversified and mixed, and rich in innovative practices in folk belief governance, which is an important “window” for observing the situation of folk beliefs in contemporary society in Zhejiang and even the whole country. This book systematically outlines the overall picture of Wenzhou’s folk beliefs from six aspects, including historical changes, basic status, cultural interpretation, contemporary values, affairs management, and achievement literature, shows the era value of Wenzhou’s folk beliefs as a traditional cultural resource “activated” by local society, and summarizes and refines Wenzhou’s exploration experience as a pilot area for the management of folk beliefs in China.
The compilation of this book aims to provide three values: first, senior management, that is, to provide historical basis and practical reference for deepening the governance of folk beliefs; The second is to educate people, that is, by deeply digging into the excellent genes of traditional culture of folk beliefs, connecting the cultural spirits of filial piety, honesty, serving the people, and loyalty with the core socialist values, and spreading positive energy; The third is to preserve history, that is, to strive to excavate folk belief culture, preserve the essence of it, leave it for future generations, leave a historical and cultural heritage, and give play to the positive role of folk belief.