|
(from left) Guo Zhan, Division Director in the
Department of Cultural Relics Protection, National Administration of
Cultural Heritage, Zhang Bai, Deputy Director-General, National
Administration of Cultural Heritage, Fernando Chui, Secretary for Social
Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Zhang Xuezhong, Ambassador
and Permanent Delegate of China to UNESCO, and Heidi Ho, President of the
Macao SAR Government Cultural Affairs Bureau |
The
29th session of the World Heritage Committee opened at 5 pm on July
10 in Durban, South Africa. Between July 10 and 17, the Committee will review
proposals for inscription on the World Heritage List, including Macao’s bid. A
successful outcome is bound to raise local awareness of heritage conservation
and international recognition of Macao.
The 26-member Chinese delegation is headed by
Zhang Xuezhong, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of China to UNESCO, Zhang Bai,
Deputy Director-General of the National Administration of Cultural Heritage, and
Tian Xiaogang, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO.
Representatives from the Macao S.A.R. Government consist of a team headed by
Fernando Chui, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Heidi Ho, President of
the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Stephen Chan, Acting Vice-President of the same
organisation, and Marie MacLeod, Head of its Research and Publications Division.
|
Themba Wakashe, Deputy Director-General, South
African Ministry of Arts and Culture and Chair of the World Heritage
Committee gives the Welcome Address at the 29th Session of the World
Heritage Committee in Durban. |
UNESCO
Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura addressed the Opening Session, presided by
Themba Wakashe, Deputy Director-General, South African Ministry of Arts and
Culture. Over 20 items relating to Heritage Conservation are on this year’s
conference agenda, including the assessment of 42 new nominations, plus
extensions for 9 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List; the state
of conservation of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
evaluation of emergency assistance; international assistance requests; budgetary
provisions for the implementation of the Global Framework Programme for
Capacity-Building on Natural Heritage. The conference also has a special event
–Partners for Africa— which will focus on Africa’s heritage and the action taken
by UNESCO partners to safeguard it.
|
Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO
addresses the delegates at the Opening Ceremony. |
This
year, the Committee will review 28 cultural sites, 10 natural sites and 4 mixed
sites presented by 44 countries. Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gabon and the
Republic of Moldova may see one of their sites inscribed on the World Heritage
List for the first time.
Macao’s nomination will be assessed under the
list of cultural sites. The proposal focuses on the historic central district
and comprises a succession of monuments interlinked with urban squares and
streetscapes, illustrating the first and most lasting encounter of Western and
Chinese civilization. They stand witness to successful East-West cultural
pluralism, with the oldest, the most complete and consolidated array of European
architectural legacy standing intact on Chinese territory today.
Besides these tangible products of cultural
exchange, the 400 years of East-West cultural assimilation during this historic
timeframe reflects the harmonious coexistence of the Chinese and Portuguese
communities, making this a unique and positive chapter in human history.
Cultural exchange has permeated society on many levels, influencing tangible
heritage such as building traditions, and intangible heritage reflected in the
blend of traditions such as religion and lifestyles that survive to this day.
These testimonies are products of the mutual respect and tolerance between the
two civilizations, constituting the essence and value of Macao’s heritage.
|
The South African government treated delegates
to a spectacular performance conveying the importance of nurturing heritage
for humankind. |
The
nomination incorporates the original urban fabric of the historic western
settlement including streetscapes and piazzas, such as Barra Square, Lilau
Square, St. Augustine’s Square, Senado Square, Cathedral Square, St. Dominic’s
Square, Company of Jesus Square and Camões Square. These provide the linkage for
a succession of over twenty monuments, including A-Ma Temple, Moorish Barracks,
Mandarin’s House, St. Lawrence’s Church, St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church, Dom
Pedro V Theatre, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, St. Augustine’s Church, “Leal
Senado Building”, Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple, Holy House of Mercy, Cathedral, Lou
Kau Mansion, St. Dominic’s Church, Ruins of St. Paul’s, Na Tcha Temple, Section
of the Old City Walls, Mount Fortress, St. Anthony’s Church, Casa Garden, the
Protestant Cemetery and Guia Fortress (including Guia Chapel and Guia
Lighthouse).
