[Reported by Gao Jiaqi from Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association] To effectively inherit and protect the intangible cultural heritage of abacus and explore the establishment of the intangible abacus skill (abacus culture) inheritor system, the Training Class for Intangible Abacus Skill (Abacus Culture) Inheritors organized by Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association (hereinafter referred to as the “CAMAA”) and co-organized by Beijing Caike Everest Technology Co., Ltd. was successfully held online on March 26-27, 2022. A total of 730 abacus workers and abacus and mental arithmetic workers from across the country participated in the training, along with the secretariat of CAMAA.

(Opening ceremony) 

On the morning of March 26, a brief opening ceremony was held for the training class. Leaders such as Huang Wenkun, Executive President of the Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Institute, Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, and Fu Jie, Deputy Secretary-General of CAMAA, attended the ceremony. Huang Wenkun delivered the speech on behalf of Cheng Beiping, Executive Vice Chairman of CAMAA, at the opening ceremony. Cheng Beiping pointed out that the training class for the intangible abacus skill inheritors should be held to continuously improve the basic theory, quality development and practical ability of abacus skill inheritors, and strive to explore the construction of a representative intangible abacus skill (abacus culture) inheritor system. To this end, it is required to: (1) enhance the awareness of the sense of responsibility and mission for intangible abacus skill inheritors; (2) stick to the original and seek innovation by exploring the innovative development of the intangible abacus science and culture; (3) carry forward the craftsman spirit, and continue to improve the training for the intangible abacus skill inheritors.

The experts team for this training class include Chen Huawen, an expert from the National Intangible Heritage Assessment Expert Team and a professor from Zhejiang Normal University; Professor Feng Lisheng, President of the Institute for History of Science and Technology & Ancient Texts, Tsinghua University and Doctoral Supervisor; Professor Wang Weida, Vice Chairman of CAMAA and a senior national abacus and mental arithmetic teacher; Wang Haiming, Curator of Nantong Chinese Abacus Museum; Zhou Xinlin, a professor from the State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University. The experts carefully arranged the training courses and built a comprehensive and prominent curriculum system, achieving good teaching results.

(Chen Huawen, an expert from the National Intangible Heritage Assessment expert Team and a Level-II professor from Zhejiang Normal University)  

The topic of Professor Chen Huawen’s lecture is Interpretation of the Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Measures for Identification and Management of National Representative Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Professor Chen introduced the origin and reasons of intangible cultural heritage protection by citing the development history of protecting intangible cultural heritages in Japan, South Korea, France and other countries. The principles and mechanisms for implementing intangible cultural heritage protection are clarified by comparing the practices of the countries with better implementation of intangible cultural heritage protection. As a witnesses and participant of the issuance of relevant policy documents, Professor Chen explained the significance, concept connotation and implementation points of the laws and regulations such as the Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law of the People’s Republic of China, and the Measures for Identification and Management of National Representative Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in detail, stressed the importance of intangible cultural heritage inheritors in the transmission of skills, the spread of culture and the inheritance of cultural heritage, and inspired the sense of pride and mission of all students to better inherit the intangible abacus skills.

(Feng Lisheng, President of the Institute for History of Science and Technology & Ancient Texts, Tsinghua University and Doctoral Supervisor)

(Professor Feng is giving a lecture)

The topic of Professor Feng Lisheng’s lecture is “Research on the Development of Abacus Science, Culture and History”. As a well-known expert in the research on the history of mathematics, the history of technology and the scientific and cultural heritage in China, Professor Feng made a detailed interpretation of the invention of abacus and the formation and development of abacus knowledge system. With rich historical materials, clear sorting, and scientific and objective attitude of learning, he led the students to clear up the historical confusions by clearly streamlining the history of abacus development, thus confirming the accumulation and inheritance of the mathematic and computing skills in ancient China; Through further understanding of the scientific, historical, practical, cultural, educational and social values of abacus in contemporary China, it is concluded that “the inheritance and development of intangible abacus skills should adhere to the national, scientific and popular direction, so as to promote and popularize the culture of abacus and mental arithmetic in the whole society”.

(Wang Weida, Vice Chairmen of CAMAA and a senior national abacus and mental arithmetic teacher)

The topic of Professor Wang Weida’s lecture is “Perception on the Influence of Ability Assessment and Teacher Training on the Inheritance and Development of Chinese Abacus Skill”. From two dimensions, i.e., “strengthening teacher training on abacus and mental arithmetic” and “innovating abacus assessment and abacus and mental arithmetic assessment”, Professor Wang deeply interpreted the certification system, objectives, tasks and development process of teacher training on abacus and mental arithmetic, as well as the significance and value, standard setting and corresponding system improvement practice of abacus and mental arithmetic assessment. From competition orientation to promotion and popularization, the teaching of abacus and mental arithmetic is constantly standardized, finally forming the authoritative system of the Professional Level Certification Standards for Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Trainers of Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association (Trial). Professor Wang pointed out that as an enlightening subject, abacus and mental arithmetic has a very profound connotation and extension, which needs to be studied deeply and extensively before achieving the good effect of “understanding thoroughly” and “comprehending by analogy”.

(Wang Haiming, Curator of Nantong Chinese Abacus Museum) 

Curator Wang Haiming systematically explained the far-reaching significance and various practices of inheriting and protecting the intangible abacus skills in his lecture titled “Research on the Inheritance and Protection of Chinese Abacus”. By sorting out the development history of Chinese abacus from ancient times to the present, the historical consciousness of protection and inheritance has been strengthened; From the seven manifestations of the scientific nature of Chinese abacus, the rationale and foundation of “Abacus is science and technology” has been deepened; From the description of the abacus in traditional folk customs, painting, music and literary works, the profound connotation of the abacus culture has been further reflected. Based on the practice and exploration of abacus application as intangible cultural heritage, theoretical research, education and publicity, abacus and mental arithmetic education, and museum construction, Curator Wang proposed to further strengthen the historical consciousness, cultivate the scientific spirit, and strengthen the cultural confidence, so that the intangible cultural heritage of mankind can be preserved, activated and passed down.

(Zhou Xinlin, Professor from State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning at Beijing Normal University)

Through the lecture titled “Research on Abacus and Mental Arithmetic and Brain Science”, Professor Zhou Xinlin introduced the changes of brain function and structure brought about by abacus arithmetic and abacus and mental arithmetic, and pointed out that abacus training not only has a positive effect on non-symbolic number sense and symbolic arithmetic, but also has other transfer values. For the high positioning of Chinese abacus skill as “another knowledge system” by UNESCO, Professor Zhou interpreted it from a professional perspective and, through scientific experiments, confirmed that “non-symbolic number sense and non-symbolic arithmetic are the foundation of mathematical ability development”, thus concluding the necessity and feasibility of abacus skill inheritance for children’s development.

(Closing ceremony)

On the afternoon of March 27, the training class was completed with a closing ceremony. Zhao Xiangyi, Secretary-General of CAMAA, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. Zhao Xiangyi pointed out that the training for the intangible abacus skill inheritors aims to improve the theoretical basis, professional quality and practical ability of the abacus skill inheritors, which is of far-reaching significance to expand the inheritor team and improve the inheritor quality. CAMAA attaches great importance to the training of inheritors, and will continue to organize training class for the inheritors in future. Adhering to the principle of “upholding tradition without losing its origin”, it will inject lasting impetus into the protection and development of the intangible abacus skill. It is expected that all students enhance their understanding of policies and improve their professional skills, making unremitting efforts for the creative transformation and innovative development of the intangible Chinese abacus skill.