Tour group reveals the treasures of Shanxi

The International Cultural Heritage Protection Week, which opened in Shanxi on July 15, once again put the North China province on the global stage.

According to the Shanxi International Communication Center, one of the organizers of this event, the activity gained 830 million online views over the seven days. This included 680 million views from China and 150 million views from overseas.

The rich forms of presentation, the participation of a great number of overseas delegates and the innovative methods of communication all contributed to building the international influence of the event, according to organizers.

The opening ceremony was held in Yuci Ancient City in the central Shanxi city of Jinzhong on July 15. It featured a range of shows with local characteristics and innovative forms.

Red Lantern, for instance, is a traditional folk dance performance displaying the folk arts and traditions of Shanxi, while the dance drama Shanxi: A Land of Scenic Beauty was performed with the province's enticing natural wonders as its backdrop.

Meanwhile, The Light of Yungang, a light show using modern techniques, was used to present the details of the Yungang Grottoes, one of three UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in Shanxi, to audiences both offline and online.

Among the global participants attending the event were ambassadors and their attaches from six countries, and 200-plus delegates. They included representatives from various organizations of the United Nations, overseas Sinologists, cultural heritage researchers, artists and journalists, as well as overseas professionals working with China's universities and research institutions.

A grand gala

The overseas delegates held dialogues with their Chinese counterparts, sharing insights into cultural heritage protection and exchanges among various cultures and civilizations, making the International Cultural Heritage Protection Week an event with substantial international influence.

Over the seven days, participants engaged in various activities, including academic seminars and roundtable meetings, study tours of cultural heritage sites, experiences of local life, youth workshops and the production of video documentaries.

Md. Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh's ambassador to China, attended the opening ceremony of the event and delivered a speech.

"It is of great significance to discuss cooperation in cultural heritage protection in Shanxi, which is, undoubtedly, one of the cradles of Chinese civilization," he said in the speech.

Islam spoke highly of the World Cultural Heritage Sites in Shanxi, including the Ancient City of Pingyao, the Yungang Grottoes and Mount Wutai. He said that these are the precious cultural assets not only for China but for the entire world. "They carry the cultural values that (are) worth sharing, spreading and studying throughout the international community."

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, associate professor at Brazil's Universidade Federal Fluminense and visiting professor at University of Macau, also praised Shanxi's efforts in protecting and revitalizing its cultural heritage in his speech at the opening ceremony.

"As a core part of Chinese civilization, Shanxi is an excellent example of the dynamic inheritance of cultural heritage, meaning that the ancient culture is alive in local life," Carvalho said. "In ancient towns and villages, the old buildings are still offering habitats for modern-day residents and folk traditions are still a part of local life."