Xinjiang unveils events to mark national cultural day

Two women dances at a village in Taxkorgan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, June 6, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

In celebration of China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, which falls on Saturday, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region launched the eighth intangible cultural heritage week in Turpan city.

Titled "Inherit the Intangible Culture and Having Healthy Lifestyle", the heritage week held the opening ceremony in the Grape Valley scenic area of the city on Saturday, and during the week the city would conduct a series of promotional events, including the archaeological photos and paper cutting exhibitions, and traditional art bazaar.

"Turpan has three UNESCO World Heritage sites, 13 national cultural relic protection units, and 1,491 Immovable relic sites. So, we think this is a great opportunity for the city to show its rich and color culture to more people," said Xiao Jianwu, vice-mayor of Turpan, at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, due to COVID-19 prevention and control, online activities will be held during the week, such as providing livestreaming platforms for the inheritors of traditional medicine, food and sport, and invite culture heritage experts to introduce the knowledge and protection work of Xinjiang's intangible cultural heritage through radio.

According to the regional department of culture and tourism, there will be more than 200 online and offline exhibition activities across the region until June 20, and the activities will focus on traditional culture in Xinjiang to promote knowledge about intangible cultural heritage and popularize the concept of a healthy life.