Great Wall of China Foto Jakub Hałun.
On the 22nd of April both Chinese and Dutch speakers will showcase the developments in their respective countries at the first Chinese-Dutch forum concerning built cultural-heritage. The forum will take place at the Welgelegen Pavillion, seat of the provincial government in Haarlem. Using examples and cases, the speakers will search for synergy and methods to learn from each other. Admission to the forum is free.
Knowledge export
Under president Xi Jinping, China has set out for a new course which marks an increasing interest for built cultural heritage and its potential role in society. With its 1.3 billion inhabitants and a history spanning more than 5000 years, China possesses a vast offering of cultural heritage. It has introduced a new approach where a focus on acquiring knowledge beyond its own borders may be a valuable asset.
The Dutch system
The Dutch care for their built heritage and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings has not gone unnoticed in China. As a small country, the Netherlands managed to create a comprehensive and structured system of preservation and the Dutch practice of ‘development by reuse’ is observed closely.
On the other hand, China has a large quantity of restoration projects of exceptional size and holds considerable expectations for tourism in historical cities. The principles in these developments tend to be very different from those in the Netherlands. Where both perspectives have a lot to offer each other, these developments provide a unique opportunity for both countries to share knowledge and experience. The Chinese ideas on both authenticity and private funding could possibly guide our thinking about a future for our own heritage.
Sino-Dutch forum concerning built cultural-heritage
There’s plenty of reasons to get to know each other’s views on heritage a little better. During the forum Chinese examples are introduced and will be opposed to the Dutch practice. Large restoration projects are covered, examples of policy, cultural tourism and the use of digital resources. Also discussed is the case where Chinese investors finance the reuse of a Dutch municipal monument in the city of Sittard-Geleen. By comparing these two worlds the forum hopes to inspire the participants and encourage the reciprocal making of contacts and prosperous exchange of knowledge and experience.
For additional information: ivem.nl/invitation.
Organisation
The forum is an initiative of the Chinese embassy in The Hague and is organised in collaboration with DutchCulture, the National Office for Cultural Heritage, the LeidenAsiaCentre and the Institute for Heritage & Marketing (IVEM).
