Nearly 200 representatives from UNESCO's intergovernmental
intangible cultural heritage protection body and NGOs gathered on
Wednesday in China to find ways to better protect humanity's
cultural heritage.
The gathering, being held in Chengdu, southwestern Sichuan
province from Wednesday to Sunday, will examine the selection
criteria used to make additions to the list of intangible cultural
heritage.
It will also discuss the draft financial regulations of the
intangible cultural heritage fund set up by the International
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage.
The 24 members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage along with
representatives from the 30 countries that are signatory to the
convention and five international non-governmental organizations
are attending the meeting.
China also launched on Wednesday its first international
festival of intangible cultural heritage in Chengdu. The festival,
which will last until June 10, includes exhibitions, theme parties
and a forum on intangible cultural heritage.
(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2007)