Show tolerance: chanting children irk cinemagoers by reciting lines while watching animated bl

Chang An is the ancient name for Xian, the capital city of the Tang dynasty (618-907), a period when poetry flourished in China.

Some of the most famous poets of the era include Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi and Wang Wei, whose works have been studied and appreciated for more than a thousand years.

Primary and middle school textbooks in China feature many Tang dynasty poems, which pupils are taught to recite.

According to social media observers, young audience members have been reciting along with the literary works shown in the film, which features 48 poems including Meng Haoran’s A Spring Dawn, Li Bai’s Setting Off Early from Baidi City and Wang Wei’s Love Peas.

Many expressed annoyance at the poetic outbursts, saying parents and cinemas should do more to ensure chanting children do not ruin the viewing experience for others.

“My God, the cinema has become a large-scale poetry-reciting place. I suggest cinemas make special arrangements for parents and children only and leave us adults alone as we just want to enjoy the film quietly,” one social media commenter said.

“It’s fine for parents to take their children to watch the film with an aim of cultivating their cultural taste,” another commenter said, adding: “But the first thing the kids must learn is not to affect other people. Parents should make their kids behave themselves, it’s a family education issue.”

An editorial in the media outlet Red Star News also addressed the phenomenon.

“It’s a pity if people only focus on reciting the poems but ignore empathising with the authors. We enjoy and understand these poems silently, and do not necessarily need to read or recite it loudly,” it said.

However, others encouraged the children’s enthusiasm for ancient Chinese poetry and culture.

“I suggest other audience members do not stop the children. What a beautiful voice it is!” one said.

“Show tolerance and let the kids recite to boost their interest, which is conducive to preserving cultural heritage,” said another.

“I feel touched seeing so many kids collectively recite the poems. It’s a perfect demonstration of Chinese cultural inheritance. Maybe they will disturb others, but please forgive them,” said yet another.

On Douban, a mainland film and book rating website, 30,000 Miles from Chang An received a score of 8.2 out of 10.

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