In a concerted push to elevate the safeguarding measures for its intangible cultural heritage, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has taken decisive action against several custodians of these precious cultural expressions. The ministry’s recent announcement highlights a significant stride in ensuring that national-level intangible cultural heritage units not only carry the title but also shoulder the responsibility of preserving China’s diverse and historical cultural practices.
The evaluation, an exercise in accountability and improvement, scrutinized the commitment and performance of various heritage units across the country. One notable establishment, the Shanghai Qianwanlong brewery, known for its custodianship of the ancient Qianwanlong soy sauce brewing technique, was found lacking in adherence to the national standards. Consequently, the brewery has been temporarily barred from seeking national-level intangible cultural heritage protection funds and is now faced with a designated period for rectification.
This brewery, established in the early ’90s and recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2019, stands as a cautionary tale for other institutions that heritage protection is a continuous effort requiring dedication and meticulous attention to standards.
The ministry’s actions extended to other units that were found to be negligent in their roles as preservers of culture. Notably, a cultural center in Xiahe county of Gansu Province was stricken from the protection list due to insufficient efforts in protecting the Gannan Tibetan Thangka painting. Similarly, a cultural station in Shunde district, Guangdong Province, tasked with preserving the traditional craft of Gambiered Guangdong gauze, and a cultural center in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, responsible for the She ethnic medicine tradition, have both been removed from the list for failing to meet their protective obligations.
This stringent approach to cultural preservation by the ministry underscores the delicate nature of intangible cultural heritage, which, without proper care and active maintenance, is at risk of disappearing. The ministry’s action reinforces the idea that safeguarding such heritage is not a passive title but an active duty requiring consistent diligence and improvement.
The reassessment initiative has borne fruit, with a commendable number of protection units – 2,981 to be exact – meeting the rigorous standards set forth by the ministry. However, 619 units are currently in a state of flux, pending reevaluation due to significant organizational changes that have affected their capability to fulfill their roles as protectors of heritage.
The ministry has also filled three vacancies in protection units, recognizing new qualified candidates. Meanwhile, a dozen applicants aspiring to be recognized as protection units were denied the status, indicating the high benchmarks set by the ministry for such an esteemed designation.
In summary, these steps by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism represent a significant effort to reinforce the management and conservation of intangible cultural heritage. The recent announcement not only aims to discipline those who have not fulfilled their commitments but also serves as an important mechanism to ensure the enduring legacy of China’s rich and diverse cultural history.
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