China has taken a significant step towards the preservation of its intangible cultural heritage (ICH) by announcing the approval and publication of the country’s first standard in the field of ICH digital preservation. The standard, titled “Digital Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Digital Resource Collection and Cataloging,” was announced by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Wang Fuzhou, director of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, emphasized the groundbreaking importance of establishing a set of norms for the digital preservation of ICH during a press conference. The standard was drafted by the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center and aims to guide and standardize the collection and cataloging of digital resources for various categories of representative ICH projects across the country.
The standard outlines the overall requirements for the collection and cataloging of ICH digital resources, encompassing categories such as folk literature, traditional music, traditional dance, traditional theater, and folk customs. Wang noted that the formulation and implementation of this standard would play a crucial role in several areas, including guiding the dissemination and utilization of ICH digital resources, assisting in constructing an ICH big data system, aiding in the training and development of professionals in the ICH domain, and enhancing the public’s awareness and understanding of ICH.
Additionally, the ministry announced that the assessment for the sixth batch of national-level inheritors of ICH is currently underway. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the line-up of ICH inheritors, refine the ICH preservation and inheritance system, and ensure the transmission of ICH from generation to generation. The ministry initiated the procedure for recognizing the new batch of national-level ICH inheritors in May 2022 by issuing an official notice to kick-start the identification and recommendation efforts.
The selection process for the national-level ICH inheritors takes into account the unique features of the related ICH projects and aims to balance the ages of the inheritors. The ministry underscored the importance of the representativeness and leadership of the nominees. As of now, local governments and agencies have recommended a total of 1,407 individuals. The evaluation process, which includes the review of application materials, the establishment of review criteria, and the creation of an expert database, is currently in progress.
In conclusion, the approval and publication of the first standard for the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage in China mark a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to preserve and promote its rich cultural heritage. This initiative, along with the ongoing assessment of national-level ICH inheritors, reflects China’s commitment to safeguarding its intangible cultural heritage for future generations.
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