HERITAGISATION OF LOCAL TRADITIONS IN CHINA: THE CONSERVATION OF THE MIN-ZHE WOODEN ARCH BRIDGE AS A CASE STUDY

Shujie Chen; Yan Yang; Yao Wu; Yuan Miao

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Submission

Paper Title

HERITAGISATION OF LOCAL TRADITIONS IN CHINA: THE CONSERVATION OF THE MIN-ZHE WOODEN ARCH BRIDGE AS A CASE STUDY

Authors

Shujie Chen
Yan Yang
Yao Wu
Yuan Miao

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse - A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

Inglês

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/831556-heritagisation-of-local-traditions-in-china--the-conservation-of-the-min-zhe-wooden-arch-bridge-as-a-case-study

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

Keywords: Wooden Arch Bridge, Covered Bridge, Heritagisation, Local Tradition, Authorised Protection

Summary

In recent decades, numerous local traditions and their associated physical remains have been recognised as Cultural Heritage or Intangible Cultural Heritage in China. This has transformed these traditions into shared cultural resources for citizens both nationwide and worldwide. The process of heritagisation serves to revive these traditions by integrating them into modern and mainstream conservation systems. It also encourages maximising these traditions' social and economic interests by displaying and advertising them. Meanwhile, the heritagisation impacts the development of local traditions and changes their relationship with local communities. The paper examines the heritagization of the Min-Zhe wooden arch bridge (one kind of covered bridge) and its traditional building craftsmanship as a typical case of the heritagization of local traditions in China. It reviews the process of the authorised protection of the Min-Zhe wooden arch bridge and analyzes the relevant heritagization mechanism. The paper acknowledges the positive role of heritagization in protecting historic wooden arch bridges. But it also raises concerns that excessive attention to the authenticity of tangible heritage affects the bridge- community relationship and the development of the local bridge-building tradition. The paper discusses how the authenticity criteria in the Venice Charter influence local conservation practices. It suggests ways to address potential negative impacts of heritagization by considering authenticity in the cultural context of the selected heritage.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

CHEN, Shujie et al.. HERITAGISATION OF LOCAL TRADITIONS IN CHINA: THE CONSERVATION OF THE MIN-ZHE WOODEN ARCH BRIDGE AS A CASE STUDY.. In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/831556-HERITAGISATION-OF-LOCAL-TRADITIONS-IN-CHINA--THE-CONSERVATION-OF-THE-MIN-ZHE-WOODEN-ARCH-BRIDGE-AS-A-CASE-STUDY. Access in: 31/08/2025