National Library of China launches month

The National Library of China marked 2026 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on Saturday by launching a series of events which will run until July 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The National Library of China marked 2026 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on Saturday by launching a series of events which will run until July 11.

A month-long lecture series on intangible cultural heritage features four special lectures centering on Chinese culinary culture and the profound cultural heritage embodied in time-honored Chinese dietary traditions.

On Saturday, the 92-year-old folklore expert Liu Kuili delivered a lecture about the centrality of food to human societies. He discussed common seasonal foods and dietary customs associated with festivals and life rituals, such as the Spring Festival reunion dinner and zongzi (sticky rice dumplings with various fillings wrapped in leaves) for the Dragon Boat Festival. He also explained how food has evolved into a cultural tradition that bonds families, connects communities and fosters cultural identity.

"Chinese cuisine is an essential component of the Chinese nation and traditional Chinese culture. Chinese culinary culture has defined and shaped our bonds with nature, society and family," Liu said.

The lecture was the 100th in the national library's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lecture Month series since its launch in 2013. The public can make a reservation for the three other upcoming lectures via the national library's official WeChat account.

The next month will also see the screening of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritors Documentation Works.

A total of 49 short documentary films covering 10 major categories of intangible cultural heritage such as folk literature, traditional music and traditional dance will be presented, with 13 films dedicated to traditional Chinese culinary techniques.

The public can make a reservation via the national library's official WeChat account to watch these documentary films at the library, or log in ich.nlc.cn to watch previous works online.

An exhibition of the same name will be held simultaneously on the second floor of the north area of the National Library of China, containing photos and details of the inheritors.

"To date, nearly 4,000 national inheritors of intangible cultural heritage have been named across China," said Tian Miao, deputy director of the public education department at the national library.

"They are living cultural treasures of our nation, each possessing extraordinary skills. The public can take this opportunity to witness their charm up close and truly grasp the significance of the national intangible cultural heritage they carry forward."

The National Library of China marked 2026 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on Saturday by launching a series of events which will run until July 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]