General Secretary here talks about cultural inheritance and development in Dunhuang, Gansu

Former General Secretary here talks about cultural inheritance and development in Dunhuang, Gansu

Dunhuang, an Era Sample of Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning

Deep in the desert, camel bells sound, and the the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang stand quietly at the foot of the Mingsha Mountain.

Make the "Desert Pearl" more shining

Civilizations exchange due to diversity, learn from each other through exchange, and develop through mutual learning.

Dunhuang culture has lasted for nearly two thousand years and is the world's largest, longest lasting, richest, and most well preserved art treasure trove. It is a brilliant pearl in the long river of world civilization and a precious historical material for studying the politics, economy, military, culture, and art of various ethnic groups in ancient China.

Mr. Ji Xianlin once said, "The brilliance of Dunhuang culture is the fusion of the essence of various ethnic cultures in the world, and it is also a model of the continuous integration of Chinese civilization that has a long history for thousands of years."

Over the past 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, generations of Dunhuang people have adhered to the lofty spirit of "sticking to the desert, being willing to contribute, daring to take responsibility, and pioneering and enterprising". Under extremely difficult material living conditions, they have done a lot of work in the collection and protection of Dunhuang grotto materials, the promotion of Dunhuang cultural and artistic research, cultural tourism development, and site management, and have achieved many important research results.

At present, the Dunhuang Academy has become the largest research entity of Dunhuang Studies at home and abroad. Since its inception 40 years ago, the Journal of Dunhuang Studies Studies sponsored by the Dunhuang Research Institute has published 200 official issues, 11 special issues, and more than 4100 papers. It has become a must read journal in the world of Dunhuang Studies Studies, and plays a leading role in the world of Dunhuang studies.

"The study of Dunhuang Studies is extensive and profound," said Zhao Xiaoxing, director of the Dunhuang Literature Research Institute of the Dunhuang Research Institute, and it needs to be popularized in a way that the public is willing to accept.

The "Digital Sutra Cave" launched in April this year is a new attempt by the Dunhuang Academy to popularize Dunhuang Studies. By utilizing technologies such as digital twins, the "Digital Scripture Cave" has restored the physical structure of the cave and its cultural relics. Users can "travel" to the late Tang, Northern Song, late Qing and other periods to immerse themselves in Dunhuang culture.

"The integration of cultural relics and science and technology makes it possible to reproduce the scripture cave." Su Bomin, president of the Dunhuang Research Institute, said that the Dunhuang Research Institute will further strengthen the research of Dunhuang Studies Studies, expand the research field, find a breakthrough, adopt interdisciplinary, infiltration and comparative research methods in a larger range, and strive to master the discourse power of Dunhuang Studies research.

Protection measures are becoming more scientific and effective

Protect Dunhuang, a vivid example of cultural exchange and mutual learning, and generations of Dunhuang people have devoted themselves and persevered. This "desert pearl" still shines brightly after thousands of years under the protection of modern technology.

In recent years, Dunhuang Research Institute has continuously improved its scientific system for cultural relic protection, established the only national ancient mural protection engineering technology research center in China, and established a "safety management platform and safety emergency command center" with industry demonstration and influence.

Entering the first domestic multi field coupling laboratory in the field of cultural relic protection constructed by the Dunhuang Research Institute, the "four seasons" are defined at any time.

A multi field coupled laboratory with a height of about two floors and an area of 16000 square meters, capable of carrying several tons of large soil site samples, divided into summer, winter, and wind and rain warehouses. The warehouse can simulate temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, relative humidity ranging from 10% to 90%, as well as various climatic conditions such as wind, rain, and snow.

"Multi field coupling, in short, is to simulate a variety of different conditions at the same time." Guo Qinglin, vice president of the Dunhuang Research Institute, said that by adjusting the parameters in front of the computer, the warehouse can freely complete the experiment of the impact of specific environment on the earthen sites and their cultural relics. "The experimental results can provide scientific data for the use and research and development of protective processes and materials, as well as prevent potential risks and achieve preventive protection."

In the future, Dunhuang Research Institute will strive to build a more influential national science and technology platform for cultural heritage basic research and technology research and development on the "the Belt and Road".

Sustainable utilization, "viewing cultural relics inside and outside the cave"

Exquisite murals, dancing flying celestial beings... Follow the Mogao Caves "Flying Sky" themed route to visit both physical caves and interact with flying celestial beings in virtual AR content.

The "Feitian" special line is based on "Digital Dunhuang", combined with spatial positioning, virtual and real fusion technology, to create a virtual twin world for the Mogao Grottoes, achieving "viewing cultural relics inside and outside the caves".

"Only by digitizing the information of all cultural relics in Dunhuang Grottoes can we truly ensure the permanent preservation of Dunhuang Grottoes' information and enable future generations to make sustainable use of it." Fan Jinshi, Honorary Dean of Dunhuang Research Institute, said that protecting and developing cultural heritage must keep pace with the times and integrate with technological development.

"Digital Dunhuang" originated from the association of digital technology: moving the original Dunhuang cultural relics into a computer. But this job is by no means a simple "handling".

In early autumn, the 265th cave of Mogao Grottoes is undergoing digital collection, which generates digital images through high-precision photography and video recording.

"Digital collection is not about taking photos just because you want," said An Huili, director of the Image Processing Research Office of the Digital Research Institute of Cultural Relics at the Dunhuang Research Institute. First, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the size, shape, degree of damage, and difficulty coefficient of photography. Based on this, a plan should be designed and scientifically demonstrated. Then, professional equipment such as customized tracks and photography carts are used to shoot with a constant temperature cold light source, minimizing human influence.

"Collecting is not easy, splicing is even more difficult." An Huili said, "The shape, color, and pattern all need to be seamlessly connected, even if the hair of the character is not split.".

To complete this task, a significant investment of manpower is required. Taking a medium-sized cave of 80 to 100 square meters as an example, the photography collection team requires 4 to 5 people, and the splicing team requires 5 to 6 people. It takes 3 months to complete all the work in groups of 10 people.

"At the beginning, only 2 to 3 caves could be photographed per year," said An Huili. Now, with technological improvements and standardized establishment, more than 20 caves can be photographed per year, and more than 100000 images can be pieced together.

"Efficient and high fidelity collection is the future direction of 'Digital Dunhuang'." Su Bomin said that the research institute will establish digital archives for all caves, murals, and painted sculptures, achieving 'permanent preservation and sustainable utilization', and spreading the splendid Chinese culture to the international community.