China marks 20 Years of intangible cultural heritage ICH preservation as Chinese government have been consistently supporting the cause.
On Monday, China held a national meeting focused on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), during which individuals and groups were recognized for their exceptional contributions to this cause.
Among the honorees was Yang Changqin, a craftswoman and the representative inheritor of the Chishui bamboo weaving craft, which is a provincial-level ICH in Guizhou Province, southwest China.
The Chishui bamboo weaving involves about 20 steps, including stripping, dyeing, weaving, and using bamboo threads to create images or craft items like bags, cups, and vases.
“Bamboo weaving is my life’s passion, and I hope it continues to be passed down through generations,” Yang stated.
Yang is one of over 90,000 ICH inheritors across China who are dedicated to preserving the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of China’s accession to UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, during which China has made significant progress in protecting and promoting ICH.
In 2011, China implemented a law to protect ICH, and regional governments have also established local regulations to safeguard cultural heritage.
China currently holds over 100,000 ICH items at various levels, including 1,557 recognized at the national level, with 3,056 individuals officially recognized as national-level ICH inheritors.
The Chinese government has also offered training programs for ICH inheritors, providing education to over 40,000 people in the past decade.
Earlier this month, UNESCO added the Chinese Spring Festival, a celebration of the traditional New Year, to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, bringing China’s total number of ICH items on the UNESCO list to 44, the highest in the world.
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