Genesis and Spirit: Intangible Cultural Heritage of China Exhibition

Presented by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Organised by the China National Centre for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department 

 

To strengthen the exchange and cooperation of the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and to showcase the richness of ICH in the country, the Ministry of Culture of China and the Home Affairs Bureau of HKSAR present the "Genesis and Spirit: Intangible Cultural Heritage of China" exhibition in October 2011. The exhibition features the historical development and safeguarding measures of ICH in the Mainland. It also introduces the safeguarding work of the HKSAR since the enforcement of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in April 2006. Exhibits of both the Mainland and Hong Kong are showcased while eight representative bearers of items on National List of ICH demonstrate in the exhibition venue as to let the visitors understand the charms of China's ICH.

 

The Rich and Diverse Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage

 

China is a multiethnic nation with a long history of civilization and an outstanding cultural tradition. For over 5000 years, the 56 ethnic groups living on this great land have created a rich variety of tangible and intangible cultural heritage: traditional oral literatures and the languages that convey them; traditional visual arts, calligraphy, music, dance, drama, songs, and acrobatics; traditional craftsmanship, medicines, and calendars; traditional folk customs, rituals, and festivals; traditional sports and recreational arts; and so on. These forms of cultural heritage, with their myriad expressive means and profound symbolic significance, are a crucial part of the spirit of the Chinese people.

 

Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage: A New Milestone of Hong Kong

 

After the "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" of UNESCO took effect in April 2006, Hong Kong set out on a new mission of safeguarding ICH, and the HKSAR Government has systematically and gradually launched a series of safeguarding measures. Application of items onto representative lists, conducting territory-wide survey of ICH and promoting Hong Kong's ICH to the general public are examples of our safeguarding measures.