Chongqing - The inaugural International Forum on Cave Temple Preservation is taking place in Dazu, Chongqing, bringing together the global focus on safeguarding the dispersed historical and cultural memories stored within cave temples. 

These architectural marvels are the repositories of our predecessors' history and the carriers of human cultural heritage. The forum aims to address the intricate issues surrounding the "prevention" and "diagnosis" of damage and erosionnn to these cave temple sculptures while also exploring cutting-edge preservation techniques.

From August 19th to 21st, the forum centers around "Cave Temple Preservation in the Context of Climate Change." Esteemed experts and scholars worldwide have converged in Dazu to participate in this event. 

Through on-site inspections, keynote presentations, thematic discussions, and a youth forum, participants pool their collective wisdom to tackle the challenges and opportunities of preserving cave temples in the face of climate change and the key scientific and technological advancements in this field.

The delegation visited Dazu Rock Carvings Relics Hospital. (Photo/ KangZheng)

Strengthening preventive protection

Climate change not only intertwines with cultural heritage protection but also introduces new challenges and risks to it. 

During the keynote session on the afternoon of August 19th, Cecilie Christine Charlotte Smith-Christensen, a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites and founder of the World Heritage Promotion Association, emphasized the world's increasing complexity under the umbrella of global climate change. This has led to what is often termed a VUCA World—an environment that is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. Beyond addressing known challenges with adaptability and risk assessment, there's a need for readiness in handling unforeseen circumstances, such as the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the global tourism industry. As a result, foresight and adaptive management have grown increasingly crucial for managing heritage sites, attractions, and communities.

Dr. Su Bomin, Director of the Dunhuang Academy, shared the achievements and technological systems employed in protecting the Dunhuang Caves. He highlighted the Academy's ongoing efforts to monitor and research the risk factors posed by climate change to the caves, continuously enhancing their preventive protection mechanisms to ensure the everlasting preservation of Dunhuang's precious caves.

Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy, shared the achievements and technical system of Dunhuang grottoes protection at the conference. (Photo/Academy of Dazu Rock Carvings)

Li Fangyin, a Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute curator, emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and an evolving perspective in the face of changing climatic conditions and increasingly complex cave temple afflictions. He stressed the importance of staying up-to-date with protection concepts, measures, techniques, and materials to mitigate climate change's impact on cave temple preservation. Notably, she advocated for proactive measures in maintaining regular preventive protection.

The closing ceremony on August 21st will witness the release of the "Dazu Declaration on Cave Temple Conservation in the Context of Climate Change." The organizers aim to create a distinct international exchange and cooperation brand for cave temple preservation from this event, contributing to developing a uniquely Chinese path for conserving and utilizing cave temples.