CHANGES OF COMMUNITY CULTURE OF LANTERN ART IN SHICHENG OF JIANGXI 2007 - 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to systematically analyze the evolutionary trajectory, driving forces, and socio-cultural impacts of the lantern art in Shicheng County, Jiangxi Province, from 2007 to 2024.Methods: This study adopts a qualitative research approach, integrating multiple research strategies: 1) Historical research. 2) Comparative research.3) Fieldwork. 4) Interview research.Results: The study finds that Shicheng lantern art has undergone significant transformation over the past 17 years, driven by the interplay of multiple forces such as craft inheritance, community participation, institutional involvement, and policy guidance. Three core findings are revealed: 1) Driving forces and contradictions of change. 2) Multi-dimensional socio-cultural impacts. 3) Evolution of identity and relations.Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Shicheng lantern art is not a static heritage but a dynamic cultural system deeply embedded in local society and continuously interacting with the external environment. Its contemporary vitality depends on its successful integration into daily practices, social relations, and governance structures. Currently, Shicheng lantern art stands at a critical crossroads between "branding development" and "connotative inheritance."-