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Kuqa’s "ancient house restoration" action wins world-class award

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Zhang Zhili) news: On July 23, 2024, at 1:30 pm local time, Kuqa "ancient house restoration" action won the 2024 "Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases—Stars of Outstanding" award at a side event themed "Science, Creativity and Empowerment: World Heritage Education Towards the Future" of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India.

Photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows a corner of the Qiuci alley at the old town of Kuqa in Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Zhang Zhili)

The Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases (AWHEIC) is jointly initiated by several organizations, including the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITRAP) and the UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA), aiming at promoting the deep interdisciplinary integration of heritage, technology, and creativity. The "Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases—Stars of Outstanding" award is given to cases that demonstrate effective interdisciplinary innovations, establish replicable model experiences, and possess significant global innovative demonstration value.

Photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows Maynur Ahat, director of the Sakesake subdistrict office in Kuqa City, conducts training for grassroot civil servants on interpretation skills at the ancient Qiuci alley in the old town of Kuqa in Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Zhang Zhili)

Kuqa City, a nationally recognized historical and cultural city, has over 100 ancient residences in its old town that are included on the preservation list. In 2023, the People's Government of Kuqa City launched the Kuqa "ancient house restoration" action, calling for skilled craftsmen from across the city.

The action has brought in domestic cultural heritage conservation experts to provide theoretical and practical training, as well as on-site guidance, for the recruited craftsmen. As a result, more than 150 traditional artisans have participated in the action, transforming it from a construction and renovation project into a cultural service initiative.

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