Carrying Forward the Musical Legacy, Harnessing the Power of Innovation

Reflections on the protection of musical intangible cultural heritage

Abstract

In today's era of cultural diversity, intangible cultural heritage stands as a treasure of human civilization, increasingly revealing its vital significance. China has achieved remarkable success in safeguarding musical intangible cultural heritage. The successful inscription of Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera, Xinjiang Uyghur Muqam Art, and Mongolian Long Melody Folk Songs demonstrates the profound history and rich diversity of China's musical heritage. However, with the passage of time, the proliferation of diverse musical forms, shifting public tastes, and the rise of new music dissemination platforms, the protection and transmission of musical intangible cultural heritage face significant challenges. The scarcity of inheritors has placed many precious musical skills at risk of extinction; the significant loss of audience has led to a gradual narrowing of its dissemination scope; and the loss of market competitiveness has made its development increasingly difficult. Therefore, strengthening the protection of musical intangible cultural heritage is an urgent task.