International Heritage News
01
Climate and World Heritage: One Third of Glaciers in World Heritage Sites Could Disappear by 2050
On November 3, UNESCO released a report stating that due to global warming, some well-known glaciers located in world heritage sites could disappear by 2050, including those in the Dolomites (Italy), Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks (USA), and Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).
According to the report, approximately 18,600 glaciers are distributed across 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Based on monitoring, UNESCO concludes that regardless of the rate of temperature rise, one third of these glaciers will disappear by 2050.
Source: www.unesco.org
02
ICCROM Launches ABC System for Cultural Heritage Risk Management
On November 8, ICCROM released the ABC System for Cultural Heritage Risk Management. This system creates a risk‑based decision‑support tool for heritage managers, providing comprehensive risk management approaches and guidelines for cultural heritage, including collections, buildings, and sites. The system is currently available free of charge to heritage conservation institutions. Download: www.iccrom.org/news/managing-risks-cultural-heritage-abc-system
Source: www.iccrom.org
03
ICOM Issues Statement on Museums and Climate Action
On November 12, during the COP27 conference, ICOM issued a statement on museums and climate action. The statement notes that climate change poses a continuous threat to cultural heritage (tangible and intangible), museums, and their collections – from natural disasters to various difficulties in collection preservation caused by extreme weather. ICOM wishes to emphasize that museums are key players in supporting climate action, capable of playing a significant role through thematic exhibitions, educational activities, and research. To fully harness the transformative potential of museums in sustainable development, ICOM calls on museums to become allies in addressing the common challenge of climate change.
Source: International Heritage Watch
04
ICOM Global Directors’ Forum on Digital Strategy for Museums
To address the challenges of museum digitalization, the ICOM International Committee on Museum Management will hold the “Global Directors’ Forum on Digital Strategy for Museums” on November 30, as part of the “Capacity Building for Future Museum Solutions” project. Based on research of over 900 museums worldwide, the committee found that many museum directors urgently need to improve their understanding of digitalization. This forum will explore the mindset shifts and structural transformations needed for museums to fully leverage digital opportunities, providing actionable visions for museum directors. Registration link: intercom.mini.icom.museum/invitation-to-participate-global-directors-forum-on-digital-strategy-for-museums/#
Sources: www.icom.org; International Heritage Watch
05
World Heritage Interpretation and Presentation Forum Held in Seoul
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, the WHIPIC World Heritage Interpretation and Presentation Forum was held on November 15‑16 in Seoul. Under the theme “World Heritage Interpretation for Sustainable Development,” the forum invited speakers from the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, and various universities and research institutions worldwide.
Source: International Heritage Watch
06
Big Ben in the UK Restarts After 5 Years of Renovation
On November 15, the iconic British landmark “Big Ben” resumed full operation after five years of the most ambitious renovation project in its history, costing 670 million yuan (approx. £80 million). Following the restoration, the clock dials have changed from black to Prussian blue. The interior of Big Ben has also been equipped with elevators and public facilities such as restrooms, to facilitate visitor access.
Big Ben is the great striking clock located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. The tower housing it, known as the Clock Tower, has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970. In 1987, the Clock Tower was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Source: CCTV News
Domestic Heritage News
01
“Historic Towns of Jiangnan Water Towns” Likely to Formally Apply for World Heritage Status in 2025
On November 2, the official newspaper of the Shanghai Municipal Committee reported that the joint nomination project “Historic Towns of Jiangnan Water Towns” will formally submit an application to UNESCO in 2025. The nomination is led by Suzhou and includes 11 ancient towns: Zhouzhuang, Luzhi, Tongli, Shaxi, Lili, Zhenze, Jinxi, Huishan (Jiangsu); Wuzhen, Xitang (Zhejiang); and Xinchang (Shanghai). Currently, Xinchang Ancient Town is representing Shanghai, together with the other 10 towns from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, in the joint application. If successful, it will fill the gap of “World Cultural Heritage” in Shanghai.
Source: Loving World Heritage
02
National List of Preferred Projects for the Integration of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Announced
The China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association recently announced the 2022 National List of Preferred Projects for the Integration of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development. A total of 200 projects were selected in four categories: ICH tourist attractions, ICH tourist towns, ICH tourist streets, and ICH tourist villages.
Among them, 78 projects including Beijing’s Temple of Heaven Park were selected as ICH tourist attractions; 41 projects including the ICH town of Wudalianchi Scenic Area in Heilongjiang were selected as ICH tourist towns; 40 projects including the Huanghewan Cultural and Commercial Pedestrian Street in Inner Mongolia were selected as ICH tourist streets; and 41 projects including Anzi Miao Village in Chongqing were selected as ICH tourist villages.
Source: World Heritage
03
Construction Begins on Tourism Roads Connecting Two Silk Road Sites in Gansu, Linking East Cluster of Greater Dunhuang Cultural Tourism Circle
On October 30, construction began on the Xuanquanzhi “opening” project of the G3011 Liuge Expressway (Liuyuan Town, Guazhou County, Gansu to Golmud, Qinghai) and the Yulin Caves to Xuanquanzhi tourist road project. The implementation of these two projects will connect the World Heritage site Xuanquanzhi Ruins with the National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit Yulin Caves, effectively linking the eastern cluster of the Greater Dunhuang Cultural Tourism Economic Circle.
The Xuanquanzhi Ruins, a World Heritage site, was one of the many postal stations established on the Silk Road during the Han dynasty (2nd century BC to 3rd century AD) to connect the Central Plains with the Western Regions. It became known for the bamboo slip inscriptions “Xuanquanzhi” unearthed there. The Yulin Caves are carved on the east and west cliffs of the Yulin River canyon in Guazhou County, named for the groves of elm trees along the riverbanks. They were listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1961.
Source: China News Service
04
National Cultural Heritage Administration Launches 2022 Nation’s Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries Promotion
On November 10, the National Cultural Heritage Administration launched the 2022 promotion for the Nation’s Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries. Archaeological excavations, surveys, and other projects carried out within China between January 1 and December 31, 2022, with approval from the Administration, may submit relevant materials via email to the Office of the Nation’s Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries Promotion (China Cultural Relics News) to qualify for preliminary evaluation. Specific requirements and submission methods: http://www.ncha.gov.cn/art/2022/11/10/art_722_178087.html
Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration
05
Hong Kong Plans to Build 4 New Museums, Themes Focus on Cultural Promotion
On November 4, Kevin Yeung Yun‑hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, replied in writing to a legislator’s inquiry stating that four new museums will be built. Two of them will focus on heritage conservation and historical‑cultural promotion activities respectively; the themes of the other two museums are still under study.
The proposed new museums include: a Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre in Area 109, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long District, New Territories; a Chinese Historical and Cultural Promotion Activity Centre to be renovated from the former Whitfield Barracks in Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui; and two new museums to be built in the Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Island.
Source: Hongbo News
