Experts and Scholars Gather at Mogao Caves to Discuss New Paths for Cultural Heritage Protection

On the afternoon of October 25, the 'Ancient Architecture Beauty, Chinese Soul' — China Ancient Architectural Culture Ingenuity Inheritance Public Welfare Action Dunhuang Station and the Symposium on the Sustainable Development and Inheritance of the Mogao Caves were held at the Dunhuang Academy. This event was jointly organized by the Luo Zhewen Fund Management Committee of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and the Dunhuang Academy, with public welfare support from Jomoo Kitchen & Bath Co., Ltd.

Group photo of attending experts and scholars

Zhang Bai, former Deputy Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration and advisor to the Luo Zhewen Fund Management Committee of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation; Luo Yang, specially invited researcher of the Central Research Institute of Culture and History and advisor to the committee; Su Bomin, Vice President of the Dunhuang Academy; Wang Wanfu, Deputy Director of the Conservation Research Department and researcher at the Dunhuang Academy; Fu Qingyuan, former Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage and deputy director of the committee; Wang Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation; Qu Yunhua, deputy director and office director of the committee; Wang Jinhua, former researcher of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage and professor at Fudan University; Shen Yang, board member of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and former Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage; Yang Xin, former Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage; Li Yongge, research curator at the Palace Museum and vice president of the Chinese Folk Artists Association’s Architecture and Garden Art Committee; Zhao Chen, Dean of the China Great Wall Research Institute; Li Jingsheng, executive director of the China Folk Artists Association’s Chinese Origin Culture Research Center, and other experts and scholars participated in this symposium. The event was hosted by Wang Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The symposium was hosted by Wang Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation

This symposium was an important part of the Dunhuang Station of the 'Ancient Architecture Beauty, Chinese Soul' public welfare action. Through field investigations and academic discussions, experts and scholars delved into the cultural connotation of the grottoes, examined the architectural, painting, mural, and carving techniques and stylistic features from different periods, further advanced the protection, research, and utilization of the grottoes, raised public awareness and protection consciousness of grotto culture, and contributed to the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture.

Focusing on themes such as 'Studying the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s inspection speech at the Mogao Caves,' 'Research on the characteristics of the early, middle, and late periods of the Mogao Caves,' 'Research on high-tech protection and digital conservation of the Mogao Caves,' 'Research on the utilization of the Mogao Caves,' and 'Exploration of the open management model of the Mogao Caves,' the experts and scholars conducted detailed discussions based on the actual conditions of the Mogao Caves, covering aspects including 'Mogao Caves protection technology,' 'Documentation of Mogao Caves conservation project records,' 'Training of cultural heritage protection talent,' 'Cultural and creative intellectual property,' and 'Formulation of long-term plans.'

Su Bomin, Vice President of the Dunhuang Academy, gave a speech

At the symposium, Su Bomin, Vice President of the Dunhuang Academy, detailed the 76-year history of development and protection of the Mogao Caves. He noted that relatively mature methods of investigation and analysis have been formed in areas such as environmental management and ontology protection, and a protection plan for the Mogao Caves has been established to guide long-term conservation efforts. In the future, Dunhuang aims to build the Mogao Caves into a highland for Dunhuang studies and a model for world cultural heritage protection.

Shen Yang, board member of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and former Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, gave a speech

Shen Yang, board member of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and former Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, stated that Dunhuang is a witness and microcosm of China’s cultural heritage protection development. From its inception to the introduction of international protection concepts, it has gradually created a Dunhuang characteristic. This spirit sets an example worth learning from.

Wang Jinhua, former researcher of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage and professor at Fudan University, gave a speech

Wang Jinhua, former researcher of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage and professor at Fudan University, said that the Mogao Caves have formed 'Dunhuang experience' with Chinese characteristics in terms of protection, archaeology, research results, and management. Combining protection, management, and scientific research, scientific research has been integrated throughout the entire protection process, guiding tourism and local economic and social development, achieving outstanding results.

Zhang Bai, former Deputy Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration and advisor to the Luo Zhewen Fund Management Committee of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation, gave a speech

Zhang Bai, former Deputy Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration and advisor to the Luo Zhewen Fund Management Committee of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation, said at the symposium that the Mogao Caves are a cultural holy land, with many studies leading the way. In terms of grotto temple archaeology, it is necessary to do basic work well and make long-term plans. At the same time, we must also cultivate talent teams, maintain an open mind, and carry forward the Mogao spirit.

Li Yongge, research curator at the Palace Museum and vice president of the Chinese Folk Artists Association’s Architecture and Garden Art Committee, gave a speech

Wang Wanfu, Deputy Director of the Conservation Research Department and researcher at the Dunhuang Academy, gave a speech

It is understood that the 'Ancient Architecture Beauty, Chinese Soul' — China Ancient Architectural Culture Ingenuity Inheritance Public Welfare Action was jointly initiated by the Luo Zhewen Fund Management Committee of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and the national enterprise Jomoo Kitchen & Bath. Through a series of thematic discussions and cultural promotions, it aims to deeply explore and refine the genes and connotations of fine traditional Chinese culture embedded in ancient architecture, and promote the innovative development of the cultural value of ancient architecture.