Central Axis competition gears up to host Beijing ceremony

"Given the high technical complexity and the ingenious conceptualization in visual productions, I hope that in the future, the entries can be extended into middle-length videos or documentaries of 15 to 20 minutes, so that the stories will be presented with more details."

In the ambassador category, a special section is set up for youth, inviting students from home and abroad to tell their stories relating to the Central Axis. The entries range from poetry recital, fashion design, to presentations of diverse handicrafts of Beijing's intangible cultural heritage.

Around 50,000 students from Beijing's primary and middle schools joined the competition, among which 120 individuals or groups advanced to the final round, including international students from 11 countries.

Yu Dan, professor at Beijing Normal University, commented on the young participants' clear and expansive understanding of the heritage sites and the cultural significance contained within.

"Promoting and inheriting the culture of Beijing's Central Axis requires public participation, and the young ambassadors gave dynamic presentations based on their everyday experience. This contest serves as an excellent opportunity to both nurture youngsters' skills and increase the visibility of the heritage," Yu said.

According to the conservation and management office, 42 primary and middle schools in Beijing have, since June, been offering courses and activities centered on the Central Axis.

Along with the competition, 15 lectures centered on the cultural heritage were organized, so as to attract the public to join in the preservation cause, as well as field trips that engage experts and practitioners to explore the heritage sites and envision their further preservation and promotion.

"This year's competition not only features speeches and talent showcases, but also works with high-tech elements, including digital artworks, cultural merchandise and short films," said Gao Wei, head of the Beijing Folklore Society.

"These works demonstrate the synergy among individuals, the connection between humans and nature, and the participants' adept responses to contemporary trends."

Promoting Beijing's Central Axis can help to pass down and enhance the reach of excellent traditional Chinese culture, Gao said, and from the entries this year, he has seen the fervor of the participants toward Chinese culture.