Editor’s Note: The 2023 Beijing Culture Forum, the second of its kind, will kick off in the Chinese capital on September 14. The two-day event focuses on advancing fine culture and promoting exchanges and will see a main forum, five sub-forums, and several related cultural activities. GDToday is presenting a series of interviews with cultural celebrities to give you a glimpse of the upcoming forum and the cultural development in China.
“We think that the protection of cultural heritage is a constant source of inspiration. Each time, it brings new ideas and new perspectives,” said Lyu Zhou, Professor of School of Architecture and Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University.
For example, Lyu said when it comes to Beijing Central Axis, what first comes into our mind is perhaps just the shape of a line. However, as we know more about it and discover its value, we may start to find that it bears unique, material testimony to the Chinese civilization. It reflects a kind of traditional perception, a traditional aesthetic value.
Lyu mentioned that the then Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova also shared a similar understanding when issuing the World Heritage Site certificate to Gulangyu Island in Fujian Province in 2017. Irina Bokova gave a very interesting remark to the effect that although it’s a small island, it has very important value. She said it’s a lesson for all the citizens of the world, as it tells us that different cultures can live together, integrate with each other, and fuel the development of new culture.
Reporter: Monica
Editor: Olivia, Steven, Jerry
Video provided to GDToday
