(KPL) The workshop on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage for Laos organized by the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (CRIHAP) and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos kicked off in Pu’er City, Yunnan Province on Apr 22.

The workshop is also supported by UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, China Cultural Centre in Laos, Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Pu’er Municipal People’s Government.

Ms Liu Hongchang, member of the Governing Board of CRIHAP, Vice President of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, Mr Hu Jianrong, Deputy Mayor of Pu’er City, and Mr Phouheuang Souvannalath, Deputy Director of Heritage Department, Ministry of Information, Cultural and Tourism of Laos attended and delivered speeches.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr Zhang Jing, Deputy Director-General of CRIHAP.

At the opening ceremony, Ms Liu Hongchang pointed out that since its establishment, CRIHAP has actively followed the working principles of UNESCO, deeply participated in the implementation of UNESCO’s Capacity-Building strategy for the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, promoted the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, strengthened the overall capacity of ICH safeguarding for state parties in the Asia-Pacific region, and achieved significant outcomes.

Hu Jianrong welcomed experts and trainees to attend the workshop in Pu’er city, introduced the geography, environment, resources, culture, especially ICH safeguarding and the broad prospects brought by the unique facilities such as the China Laos Railway.

Mr Phouheuang Souvannalath expressed gratitude to CRIHAP and all the support organizations, stated that this particular workshop is of great significance in promoting ICH safeguarding between the two countries and further promoting cultural exchanges.

The workshop will last for 4 days and focus on ICH Inventorying.

UNESCO ICH Facilitators Ms Linina Puttitarn and Mr Zhu Gang will provide in-depth explanations on the steps and methods of inventorying, as well as ethical principles, the interlinks between Intangible Cultural Heritage and sustainable development, to more than 20 cultural officials from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos, and representatives from different provinces and counties.

They will also engage the trainees through diverse forms and tools, in order to mobilize the learning enthusiasm, including lectures, case studies, field work, group discussions and presentations, actively interact and exchange ideas with the trainees, enhance their practical abilities while transmitting knowledge.

Since 2019, Lao participants from cultural and related field have participated in several training activities organized by CRIHAP. This workshop is the third time for CRIHAP to provide ICH capacity-building service specifically for Laos since 2020, and it is also the first time for CRIHAP to organize a workshop for one country in China.

During the training, Lao participants will also conduct field work on World Heritage Sites, explore the connection and interaction between ICH and World Heritage. Through the workshop, practitioners in the field of cultural heritage in China and Laos will have the opportunity to share their experiences and achievements in cultural heritage safeguarding in the two countries, also exploring opportunities for future cooperation.

KPL