CCTV9英语新闻：CPPCC members on developments of cultural circle（在线收听）

While this year's CPPCC - or Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference - continues to weigh cultural proposals, members are also reporting on initiatives to encourage cultural awakening among the people. 

In South China's Guangdong Province, artists from various disciplines are sharing their talents with schools and communities throughout the area, in an initiative called "A hundred artists, a thousand activities".

"We held concerts of traditional opera, art exhibitions, and photography workshops at the grassroots level. The people can enjoy art at their doorstep. And we've had great feedback, which motivates us to keep the initiative going," CPPCC member Li Suhua said.

"For most of the public, the artists are just some names they heard on TV or read about in books. But such an initiative gives them face-to-face interaction with the established performers. So it attracted a lot of attention," CPPCC member Xu Qinsong said.

And getting close to the people helps the artists too. CPPCC member Mao Shanyu, a master performer of traditional opera, is from Shanghai.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for us artists to create great work, to be informed by real life. That's why we should get close to the people, go to communities, to get inspired by them," she said.

"In the past year, we have seen a great many artists telling the stories of Chinese people with their creations."

CPPCC members are also proposing reduced ticket prices, so that more people have access to great works.

This year's session of the CPPCC lasts until the 14th of March.