Shandong province hosted a series of events to celebrate the 10th National Cultural Heritage Day on June 13 in its capital, Ji’nan.

Government officials take a close look at traditional crafts made by children during the celebration of the 10th National Cultural Heritage Day in Ji’nan on June 13, 2015. [Photo/sdwht.gov.cn]

Students from nine intangible cultural heritage education bases perform traditional opera during the 10th National Cultural Heritage Day in Ji’nan on June 13, 2015. [Photo/sdwht.gov.cn]

Hosted by the Shandong provincial department of culture, the celebration included opera shows performed by students from nine intangible cultural heritage education bases, a martial art performance by over 70 folk artists, a provincial photography competition and an exhibition of 150 award-winning photos. There were also exhibitions displaying traditional crafts, music, dance, opera, literature, painting and traditional Chinese medicine.

Themed on “preserving and sharing cultural heritage with all the people”, the activities were held to enhance public awareness of preserving China’s cultural heritage and ancient relics, attracting over 500 people.

While Ji’nan was the main city to hold celebratory events, a number of other cities in the province also launched similar activities.

Shandong is one of the most important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. It features a long history and is abundant in cultural heritages, eight of which were enlisted in the UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. An additional 173 were placed on the national intangible cultural heritage list and 555 have been protected at a provincial level.

Cultural Heritage Day has been observed since 2005, when the central government declared that it would be held every second Saturday of June in order to promote the preservation of the country’s abundant cultural resources.