“Yiyuanzhongshi — 2022 Beijing Central Axis Special Exhibition” opened at Beijing Dongcheng Academy of Cultural Development on December 30.
The special exhibition lasted until January 24, 2022. In addition to presenting landscapes on the Central Axis in the form of photo comparison, model restoration and multimedia display, the exhibition also held salons and lectures and offered interactive experiences, inviting the public to share the common vision of conservation of Beijing Central Axis and the old city area.
The Central Axis features not only the history but also the development of Beijing, as one of the most representative symbols of the city. It showcases deep culture, highlights the essence of Beijing’s urban architecture, and witnesses the historical changes of the ancient capital. The exhibition organically integrated the Central Axis with the space of the urban heritage park, promoted the latest concept of protecting the old city area across the society, and showed the achievements in the application for the Central Axis to be included in the list of world cultural heritage sites, its protection and utilization in recent years.
To protect historical sites, promote the innovative transformation of historical and cultural heritage, Dongcheng District of Beijing has, since 2020, rolled out related policies, launched a series of activities themed “On the Central Axis”, established Beijing Dongcheng Academy of Cultural Development, built expert think-tanks and implemented other measures. It has been continuously leveraging the resource aggregation effect, exploring new paths of culture-driven development, strengthening cultural image building of the Central Axis, and enhancing the influence of the Central Axis.
The International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development (ICCSD) under the auspices of UNESCO, as the guiding unit of this event, invited Hans d'Orville, Former Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning, UNESCO and President of the ICCSD Advisory Committee, to deliver a video address at the opening of the exhibition.
“All the heritage of a capital is arranged along a single central axis, which is unique to Beijing,” noted Hans d'Orville. Once it successfully applies for the Central Axis to be included in the list of world cultural heritage sites, the city will create a unique new classification of its own among the sites. The Central Axis is the best preserved central part of the old city area of Beijing, with 800 years of urban development. The 7.8-kilometer Central Axis, a crucial line that runs through the capital and separates the east from the west, starts from the Yongding Gate in the south, passes through Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, and ends at the Bell and Drum Towers in the north. The axis which passes through numerous ancient buildings, traditional alleys and hutongs, highlights China's traditional aesthetics, bears witness to China's past way of life, and embodies traditional Chinese culture and values.
He said the photo and video exhibition of Beijing Central Axis would allow visitors to trace its evolution as an important feature, the backbone and lifeline of the capital, and a vital embodiment of the Chinese civilization. This multi-dimensional exhibition focused on the historical and cultural significance of the Central Axis and its impact on urban construction, especially in Dongcheng District. Generally speaking, the exhibition showed the cultural appeal of the Central Axis from all perspectives.
Under the joint guidance of CPC Dongcheng District Committee, Dongcheng District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, the Beijing Central Axis World Heritage Site Application and Protection Office, and ICCSD, the exhibition was hosted by Beijing Dongcheng Academy of Cultural Development and organized by the Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre in Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University. Present at the event were Shan Jixiang, Director of Beijing Dongcheng Academy of Cultural Development, Deng Chao, Deputy Director of the Policy and Regulation Department of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Chen Mingjie, Party Branch Secretary and Director of Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ren Wanping, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, Lv Zhou, Director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, Sun Xinjun, Secretary of CPC Dongcheng District Committee, and Zhao Haiying, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Dongcheng District Committee, and Director of the Publicity Department of Dongcheng District.