International Heritage News
01
UNESCO launches 2023 Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award call for applications
On February 1, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award 2023 officially opened for submissions. Since its establishment in 2000, the award has recognized 278 projects across 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Winning projects are selected based on their understanding of heritage sites, technical achievements, and social, economic, and environmental impacts. Eligible projects must have been completed within the last 10 years. Residential, commercial, and public buildings, historic towns, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes are all eligible.
Deadline: June 30.
Application link: http://bangkok.unesco.org/content/apply-awards
Source: bangkok.unesco.org
02
2023 UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers results announced
On February 9, the results of the 2023 UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers Programme (WHV) selection were released. A total of 76 activities will be held between April and December across 69 World Heritage Sites and tentative sites in 33 countries.
As part of the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, WHV encourages youth, communities, and site managers to build more inclusive societies.
China’s selected sites include Macau Historic Centre, Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an–Tianshan Corridor, and the Dong village tentative heritage site.
Source: whc.unesco.org
03
ICCROM online training: Impact assessment in World Heritage context
An online training course titled “Impact Assessment in the Context of World Heritage” will be held from March 13–16, jointly organized by ICCROM, IUCN, and the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment.
The training highlights threats to World Heritage Sites from various development pressures, including commercial and residential buildings, energy infrastructure, transport systems, and tourism development.
It introduces methodologies from the 2022 “Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage Context,” focusing on multidisciplinary collaboration, decision-making support, heritage management, monitoring systems, and the integration of natural and cultural heritage in planning.
The course is limited to 25 participants, with priority given to state officials and professionals involved in heritage impact assessment.
Deadline: March 3.
Application form: https://forms.iccrom.org/form/online-course-on-impact-assessme
Source: www.iccrom.org
04
UNESCO expresses concern over Türkiye–Syria earthquake damage
On February 7, UNESCO stated it was ready to assist two World Heritage Sites damaged in the February 6 earthquake in Syria and Türkiye.
In addition to damage in the Ancient City of Aleppo (Syria) and the Citadel of Diyarbakir in Türkiye (part of the “Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape”), at least three other World Heritage Sites may also have been affected.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed condolences to victims and emphasized support within the organization’s mandate.
Source: www.ovpm.org
05
Pompidou Centre acquires NFT artworks for the first time
The Centre Pompidou has acquired NFT artworks for the first time. The collection includes 18 works by 13 artists in contemporary visual and new media art, exploring the relationship between blockchain technology and artistic creation.
Artists include Claude Closky (France), Xu Wenkai (China), and Larva Labs (USA).
Although NFTs experienced rapid speculation followed by a market slowdown, the focus of the acquisition is not financial speculation but rather the exploration of new technological forms and their impact on artistic ecosystems, artists, collectors, and the public.
Source: International Heritage Observer
Domestic Heritage News
01
China adds 18 new International Important Wetlands
On February 2, World Wetlands Day (27th edition) was observed under the theme “Wetland Restoration.” China hosted the main event in Xixi, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and released monitoring results on its international important wetlands.
The results show overall stability in ecological conditions, increased wetland area, improving water quality, and stable water replenishment. Biodiversity has increased, with 2,391 recorded wetland plant species.
In 2022, China added 18 new international important wetlands, including Yanqing Wild Duck Lake (Beijing), Jiujian Shibawan Bend (Heilongjiang), and Baima Lake (Jiangsu). The total number of such wetlands in China has reached 82, covering 7.647 million hectares, ranking fourth globally.
Source: www.news.cn
02
32 candidates selected for 2022 Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries (preliminary round)
On February 3, the preliminary selection for China’s 2022 Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries began. A total of 32 projects were nominated and reviewed by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
The list includes major sites spanning from Paleolithic to modern periods, such as:
1.Xuehallangzi (Yunxian Man) site, Hubei
2.Bashan site, Shandong
3.Zhaojia Xuyao site, Shandong
4.Sitai site, Hebei
5.Lingjiatan site, Anhui
6.Nanzuo site, Gansu
7.Bicun site, Shanxi
8.Taiping site, Shaanxi
9.Erlitou site, Henan
10.Western Wu Wall cemetery, Shanxi
11.Shangdu Bookstore Street cemetery, Henan
12.Yin Ruins royal tomb area, Henan
13.Xitou site, Shaanxi
14.Taoqu site, Shaanxi
15.Nanmafang tomb and chariot pit, Shandong
16.Liyangcheng site, Shaanxi
17.He Bo Su site, Yunnan
18.Wangniuling Han tomb, Guangxi
19.Guantian site, Hunan
20.Dasongshan cemetery, Guizhou
21.Zhuque Avenue Five Bridges, Chang’an city site (Sui–Tang), Shaanxi
22.Hunchun temple sites, Jilin
23.Tangchaodun ancient city site, Xinjiang
24.Wenjiangduo site, Tibet
25.Jingsi Temple site, Zhejiang
26.Zhouqiao and Bianhe river site, Henan
27.Shuomen ancient port site, Zhejiang
28.Song dynasty kiln sites (Qishi and Wentouling), Guangdong
29.Suyukou kiln site, Ningxia
30.Wang Zhangrong family tombs, Shandong
31.Wulong Palace site, Wudang Mountain, Hubei
32.Qingping Fort site, Shaanxi
Source: World Heritage
03
Hong Kong Palace Museum to exhibit over 200 ancient Chinese gold artifacts
On February 1, the Hong Kong Palace Museum announced a major exhibition titled “Brilliant Gold: Ancient Chinese Gold from the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Mengdiexuan Collection,” running from February 22 to September 25.
The exhibition will showcase over 200 ancient gold artifacts, many of which come from donations by collectors Lo Yanyan and Zhu Weiji. Items include aristocratic gold ornaments and horse and carriage decorations, many of which are being exhibited publicly for the first time.
Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration
04
China’s first sound art museum enters trial operation
On February 5, the Sound Art Museum in Songzhuang, Tongzhou District, Beijing, entered internal trial operation.
It is one of the first “quasi-museum” pilot institutions approved by the Beijing Cultural Heritage Bureau. Established in 2020 by the Songzhuang Art Development Foundation, it is China’s first museum dedicated to sound art.
Covering 8,200 square meters (6,400 square meters exhibition space), it includes permanent and temporary exhibition halls, archives, sound therapy labs, artist residencies, and multiple experimental sound spaces.
Source: Hongbowang
05
Core area of China Maritime Shipbuilding Culture City opens
On February 12, visitors explored the Shipbuilding Bookstore inside the newly opened core area of the China Maritime Shipbuilding Culture City in Fuzhou, Mawei.
Built around the nationally protected Fujian Shipbuilding Architecture Complex, the cultural city covers about 116 hectares and includes shipyard and historic street zones.
The core shipyard area has been restored and repurposed into cultural facilities such as the China Maritime Shipbuilding Museum and the Shipbuilding Bookstore, combining heritage preservation with adaptive reuse.
Source: Guangming Daily
