Can the relevance of cultural holidays be independent of population size?

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The Relevance of Cultural Holidays Can Be Maintained Independently of Population Size

The relevance of cultural holidays is not solely determined by demographic numbers, as evidenced by the integration of Jewish culture into the United States' national tapestry despite the absence of official Jewish public holidays. While in Malaysia, there is a deeply ingrained practice of linking race ratios to the perceived relevance of cultural holidays, such as Chinese New Year (CNY), this is not a universal model. The United States showcases a different approach where cultural significance is reinforced through popular entertainment, such as Hollywood films, which contribute to a nation's cultural landscape irrespective of a specific group's population percentage or official holiday status.
Cultural Significance Beyond Official Holidays

In the United States, Jewish culture and history are woven into the national fabric, largely due to the influence of popular media. Films like Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List, Otto Preminger's Exodus, Norman Jewison's Fiddler on the Roof, Barbra Streisand's Yentl, and Roman Polanski's The Pianist have significantly reinforced the Jewish community's cultural space. This demonstrates that cultural relevance can be sustained and amplified through artistic and media representation, independent of whether a group's celebrations are designated as official public holidays.
The Malaysian Context of Demographic Determinism

Malaysia's approach tends to directly associate the relevance and allocation of holidays with demographic shifts. For instance, the article questions whether a declining Chinese population might lead to a reduction in the allocated days for CNY, drawing a parallel to the single day allocated for Deepavali, which corresponds to the Indian population's demographic share. This practice reflects a broader trend in Malaysian reporting, arts, and politics, where conversations about cultural relevance are often confined to numerical representations of ethnic ratios.
Historical Precedents of Ratio-Based Influence

Historical instances in Malaysia and Singapore illustrate how population ratios have influenced political positions and community representation. In the early 1970s, the Chinese population in Singapore was substantial enough for the MCA's Tan Siew Sin to unsuccessfully seek the deputy prime minister position. Similarly, in Penang, the Gerakan party, to strengthen its Chinese credentials, shifted its focus from its initial multicultural stance. These examples underscore how population numbers have historically dictated political arguments and community standing within Malaysia's political landscape.
The Role of Popular Entertainment in Cultural Preservation

The article criticizes the Malaysian tendency to link demographic shifts directly to the justification of holidays and cultural relevance, deeming it an archaic and insulting perspective. It suggests that popular entertainment plays a crucial role in shaping national opinion and securing cultural space. The author laments the lack of impactful Chinese-produced entertainment in Malaysia that could establish a significant presence in Malay-based entertainment, contrasting this with the success of Jewish films in reinforcing Jewish cultural space within the US. This highlights how media production and dissemination can be powerful tools for cultural assertion and maintenance, transcending mere demographic counts.

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Can the relevance of cultural holidays be independent of population size?

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