5th Int'l Festival of Intangible Cultural heritage held in Chengdu

Chinese Cultural Minister Luo Shugang speaks at the opening ceremony of the fifth International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Chengdu, South China's Sichuan province, Sep 11, 2015. [Photo/Culturalkink.gov.cn]

The fifth International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage under the theme of "inheriting cultural legacy and creating a better future" kicked off in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province on Sept 11, 2015.

The opening ceremony was attended by Luo Shugang, Chinese Culture Minister; Hao Ping, president of the General Conference of UNESCO, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros, permanent delegate of Peru to UNESCO, as well as other guests from both China and abroad.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Luo said that intangible cultural heritage, which carries the wisdom and values of different ethnic groups in various countries, are a manifestation mankind's cultural diversity.

He said that the Chinese government consistently prioritizes the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage and abides by UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In his speech, Cuadros said that the festival demonstrates the remarkable achievement that the Chinese government has accomplished in the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage.

After the speech, Chinese and foreign guests visited exhibitions on intangible cultural heritage, including Chinese traditional craftsmanship and creative cultural products.

Besides, more than 200 scholars and cultural inheritors also gathered at the forum to discuss the topic of "protection of intangible cultural heritage in the course of modernization" in a two-day seminar.

The festival will last 10 days to Sept 20. During the event, a series of major programs such as the display of traditional skills and folk performances will be held.

Organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the People's Government of Sichuan province and UNESCO, the festival is currently the sole festival with the theme of intangible cultural heritage in the world.

The festival was initiated in May 2007 and is held every two years in Chengdu.