File talk:Geohash 2010 04 18 24 110 village.JPG

Text on the building

This is the transcription of the text on the building:

举旗抓纲学大寨

快马加鞭追夕阳

This is what it says:

Hold Red flag, Follow Central Government Policy, Learn from Dazhai

Drive Horse, Quicken whip, Catch up with Setting Sun

And this is the explanation:

Red Flag: Communism, Chinese Socialism

Central government: Chinese Communists central government

Dazhai: a small village in Shanxi province. In 1960s, the chief official of this village, Mr. Chen Yonggui, was utilized as a Propaganda Idol for "New China" led by Chinese communism party. The founder of "New China", Mao Zedong, commented in 1964: "Dazhai is an outstanding example of new China; all the country should learn its experiences and spirits." This comments initiated an overwhelming nationwide campaign of learning agricultural expertise from Dazhai, and also promoted Chen from a farmer to the vice Premier of the country which generated a political miracle in world history.

"Quicken whip to drive horse": a common saying in China revealing a wish to be quicker.

Setting sun refers to USA and Western Europe in 1960s indicating that capitalism countries are declining while communism countries like China and Soviet Union are rising. Mao Zedong placed a goal for "New China" in 1960s that China must catch up with developed countries within 10 years.

Many thanks to User:Tingting and her friend for providing such a detailed explanation, when I merely asked for a translation! I guess that text has been there for a while... --Crox 19:08, 23 April 2010 (UTC)

Wow thanks for that! I was secretly hoping someone would provide a translation - but I never knew it'd be so thorough!
Felix Dance 00:08, 24 April 2010 (UTC)