Source: CCTV.com

04-28-2007 09:53

Special Report:   Cultural Heritage Day

Chinese culture has gone front and center at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. As part of that, a wide range of events have been held, showcasing the best of the best.

The intangible cultural heritage festival has many highlights including music from the Guqin, a 3000-year-old seven-string zither, the 500-year-old Kunqu Opera, Uygur Mukam music and pastoral songs from Mongolia. Audiences were brought to their feet with applause lasting 15 minutes.

Koichiro Matsuura, director general of UNESCO, said, "China has been very active protecting intangible cultural heritage. The festival showcases the fruits of these efforts. UNESCO looks forward to further cooperation with China in this field."

The festival has attracted hundreds of French visitors each day. Just another example of how intangible cultural heritage crosses national boundaries to reach people's heart.

UNESCO created its first charter for intangible heritage protection in 2003. China signed the charter the following year and has continued to strengthen its efforts to safeguard the nation's traditions and arts.

 

Editor:Liu Fang