So unreal and wonderful - walking late night through city so far away from home. With people from such a different culture. Yet feeling so safe and confident. Walking through places I would be afraid to explore even in my family town i Poland. That’s China for “western people”. But it’s not only positives. This was my first visit in China and I felt so depressed after coming back home.
[ 3rd place in “In China & about China” photo contest, China, Shanghai, 2018 ]
Whenever I recall this moment and see the picture it reminds me of a moment from my youth. I once was “this” kid, in Yugoslavia more than 30 years ago. Under the bridge in Zagreb, laying on similar deck chair. My parents were selling goods from Poland, trying to earn some cash. What I want to tell You is that Poland was in this state of rapid growth like China, and like probably a lot of aspiring countries had before and some still will.
Had the opportunity to talk with number of Chinese people and hear their stories & insights. One is that after the war they looked at themselves as a “b” category people. With Japanese or Western societies being at different, unattainable class. It’s changing now. From the top. Chinese authorities decided to build high self-esteem in people. And for sure they will succeed.
Looking at this photo reminds me why I took it. I was just curious about this man - “What are you thinking about? These lights - are they a goal? Are they something you want to to be soon a part of? Or maybe dreams look completely different in your culture?”
Culture arose not from the rulers - but from the creators, artists. They built our unique cultures, defined them, added unique touch and flavor. This is how Polish, Chinese, Korean or any other country’s culture was created. I was not the rulers, emperors, presidents that created countries music, architecture, style, poetry etc. Or so I thought after walking late night through Shanghai.
Have we managed to educate values, pass them on? Or are we just growing now? Or is it just some kind of youth craziness? I’m just a sentimental ignorant trying to tell you something “important” but without getting to the bottom of it. Oh man, I’m just walking by.