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UNESCO and China Cultural Heritage Foundation cooperate on landmark paper conservation event
The preservation and conservation of paper-based heritage is the subject of an exceptional exhibition to be held at UNESCO Headquarters from July 1-5. Organized by UNESCO with the China Cultural Heritage Foundation (CCHF), 鈥淥riental Charm 鈥 Artistic Expressions of Cultural Heritage through Paper鈥, presents the findings of a six-year project to develop new solutions for paper conservation, with the participation of global experts and practitioners. Traditional Chinese arts such as mask painting and kite making will be showcased as vibrant examples of paper-based crafts that still thrive today.
Paper is a one-of-a-kind medium in that it stores so much of the world鈥檚 heritage, and yet is itself so fragile and vulnerable 卢鈥 something brought tragically into the spotlight this year with the willful destruction of thousands of precious documents in Timbuktu. Perhaps like no other material, paper requires extra special care to safeguard and protect, so that the world鈥檚 memories of culture, identity and cultural diversity that we all share are not lost forever.
With a history dating back over 2000 years, paper-making and paper conservation techniques also represent an important part of East Asia鈥檚 shared cultural heritage. For this reason, the CCHF generously supported UNESCO鈥檚 initiative to launch the paper conservation project. Six years later, this event provides an opportunity to come together to reflect on both the progress that has been achieved and the challenges that lie ahead in preserving the world鈥檚 priceless cultural heritage.
For further information please contact:
UNESCO Beijing Office
Waijiagongyu, 5-14-1, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, 100600, Beijing, China
Ms. Geng Yan, Project Assistant for Culture
Tel: +86 10 6532 2828 ext. 173
Email: y.geng(at)unesco.org
