Xia Wanqun, winner of the Special Prize

　　Xia has a deep passion for folk culture. Spending his childhood in a small town in the Central China's Henan Province, he is still obsessed with the happy time and interesting things there: the old courtyard dwellings, the folk stories in regular script, the pots of yellow wine in the shop at the corner, and the carnival at the Spring Festival temple fair … All of which have become integral parts of his life.

　　Working as the chairman of the Henan Folk Literature and Art Society, Xia assumes it as his duty to protect and develop the local folk culture. Xia did a lot to edit and publish collections on Henan folk literature, including local folk stories, ballads, and proverbs. Xia does not confine himself to written works. He has made many efforts to introduce more people to Henan folk culture by organizing six exhibitions of Henan folk arts. These have been organized from 1998 to 2005, both at home and abroad. Xia also spared no efforts to protect the local opera, folk music, dance, and traditional festivals. From 2003 to 2005, two large-scale Henan Folk Art Festivals were held under his leadership.