Gathering Marks Discovery of Dunhuang Library CaveA grand gathering to mark the centennial of the discovery of the Dunhuang Library Cave and the birth of Dunhuang studies was held in Beijing on July 6 at the Great Hall of the People.The gathering, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Gansu provincial government and the StateCultural Heritage Administration, is a major event in the country's two-month commemoration of the world-stunning find. In a letter to the meeting, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing expressed his gratitude to researchers, archaeologists, heritage protectors and other experts for their great contributions to Dunhuang relics preservation and Dunhuang studies. The Chinese people should carry forward all the outstanding cultural traditions of the nation while eagerly learning from foreign countries to build a modern socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, Li said. Li Tieying, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), told the meeting that he hopes that scholars and experts nationwide would continue to compile, study and publish the precious Dunhuang documents. Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng, who also attended the meeting, said that Dunhuang art reflects both European and Asian cultural features, and exemplifies the outstanding achievements made by the ancient people of China. More than 200 experts and officials participated in the commemorative meeting. According to archaeologists, the caves are the greatest and most consummate repository of Buddhist art in the world. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) put the Mogao Grottoes on the World Heritage List in 1987. Meanwhile, a large-scale exhibition of Dunhuang art is now being held at the Museum of Chinese History. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |