Ming Dynasty achievements celebrated by cultural forum

More than 600 experts and scholars attend major event in Beijing's Changping district

The Ming Dynasty Culture Forum 2024 recently opened at the Ming Tombs Scenic Area in Changping district of Beijing at a larger scale, broader cultural vision and with more diverse activities than previous forums.

The event aimed to leverage the district's wealth of Ming cultural resources, emphasize the protection and inheritance of world cultural heritage and serve the construction of Beijing into a renowned historical and cultural city.

It included one main forum, six themed forums and one international academic seminar, attracting more than 600 experts and scholars from both China and abroad to discuss and share insights on the culture of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

On its opening day, an exhibition of national treasures was held at the scenic area, showcasing more than 100 exquisite Ming Dynasty cultural relics. Notable items included the gold mesh crown of Emperor Wanli, two phoenix crowns, original calligraphy by Ming Dynasty artist Dong Qichang and a copy of Yongle Dadian, or Yongle Encyclopedia, made during the reign of Emperor Jiajing.

At the main forum, also serving as the opening ceremony, some 10 experts and scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on such topics as studying Ming history from a macroperspective, politician and imperial adviser Zhang Juzheng and the intangible cultural heritage of the dynasty.

They included Mao Peiqi, a professor with Renmin University of China and honorary adviser of the Chinese Society of Ming Dynasty History; Xiong Zhaozheng, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and a winner of China's prestigious Mao Dun Literature Prize; and Wang Xiaofeng, president of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association.

Moreover, Lyu Zhou, a professor and doctoral supervisor at Tsinghua University, had a dialogue with Marie-Noel Tournoux, project director of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO, during the main forum.

They delivered opinions and shared understandings of Ming culture under the theme of "Inheritance and Mutual Learning: The Contemporary Value of Ming Culture". This dialogue promoted friendly exchanges and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation, experts said.

Another highlight of the main forum was the announcement of key plans for the comprehensive opening of the Ming tombs and the development of a Ming culture complex, as well as two research-based cultural tourism routes.

The six themed forums involved extensive and in-depth discussions on the historical achievements and contemporary value of Ming Dynasty culture.

Light and shade

To provide visitors with an immersive experience of Ming Dynasty culture, Changping has planned four themed sections of cultural events: Rituals of the Ming, Delights of the Ming, Colors of the Ming, and Melodies of the Ming. More than 30 activities are scheduled throughout the year.

For example, the Ming Dynasty royal welcoming ceremony and sacrificial performance were held at the Ming Tombs Scenic Area on the opening day of the forum.

Also, at the Shenlu scenic area, also known as the Divine Road scenic area, which is part of the Ming Tombs, enthusiasts reenacted the scene of the Ming Emperor worshipping heaven and ancestors that was depicted by two Chinese paintings more than 400 years ago.

A series of activities had been launched during the Spring and Qingming festivals in the first half of the year. They included Ming Dynasty culture lectures and life aesthetics salons, etiquette performances and Great Wall night tours, aiming to deepen the public's understanding and enjoyment of Ming culture.

The Ming Dynasty witnessed many significant achievements in economic, cultural, artistic and scientific fields. Ming culture not only holds an important place in China's historical timeline but had a notable influence on the international stage in its time, experts said.

Changping is the only intersection area of the Great Wall cultural belt, the Grand Canal cultural belt, and the Xishan Mountain — Yongding River cultural belt. It is home to three World Cultural Heritage sites and six national key cultural relics protection units.

To exploit its rich cultural resources, Changping has hosted the annual Ming Dynasty Culture Forum since 2022, which is devoted to the widespread dissemination of Ming culture and garnering significant public attention, said Feng Zhiming, head of the district's publicity department.

The initiative is also an important measure to implement the urban development strategy, deepen cultural exchanges and mutual learning, stimulate cultural innovation and creativity, and enrich people's cultural lives, he noted.

In 2023, the forum attracted nearly 10,000 Ming culture enthusiasts, with related topics receiving more than 350 million views online. Stories about the forum were reported and reprinted by 500-plus domestic and international media outlets and websites, which has enhanced the influence of Ming culture, according to the district government.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn