The closing ceremony of the 2023 Yangtze River Culture Festival is held on Dec 8 in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
The closing ceremony of the 2023 Yangtze River Culture Festival took place on Dec 8 in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, bringing an end to this year's celebration of cultural diversity along the river.
With a focus on showcasing the distinctive culture of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu, the festival integrated resources from 13 provincial-level regions along the river. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as the metaverse, the event comprised over 20 activities, including photography exhibitions and seminars.
In his address, Han Wei, Party secretary of Zhangjiagang, highlighted that this year marks the 20th consecutive year that the festival has been hosted in the city. Over the past two decades, the festival has been showcasing folk culture and diverse arts and become a hub for exchanging innovative ideas, Han said. It has also evolved into a cultural engine propelling the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, he added.
During the ceremony, Shan Jixiang, president of the China Cultural Relics Academy, delivered a keynote speech, sharing insights on the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage. He also shared about China's journey in protecting and applying for UNESCO World Heritage status for its cultural heritage.