Tibetan Opera, epic designated World Intangible Cultural Heritages

　　BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Tibetan Opera and the Epic of King Gesar have recently been included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, according to the Tibet Business.

　　The result was announced at the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO held in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

　　Photo taken on August 21, 2008, shows the Peking Opera and Tibetan Opera Princess Wencheng, who was married to Srongtsen Gampo, 33rd king of Tubo Tsampo, in 641. (Xinhua Photo)

　　Besides Tibetan Opera and the Epic of King Gesar, 20 other Chinese items have also been designated as World Intangible Cultural Heritages.

　　Tibetan Opera is a kind of art integrating folk dance, singing and vocal performance in one. Hailed as "the living fossil of traditional Tibetan culture", it boasts a history of more than 600 years -- about 400 years longer than China‘s national treasure, the Peking Opera.

　　In modern society, impacted by modernization and globalization, the time-honored Tibetan Opera is faced with the problem of how it should be passed down.

Photo shows the image of King Gesar in Tibetan legend. (Xinhua Photo)

　　An expert in ethnic arts said that if Tibetan Opera was included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, it would draw worldwide attention and be better protected.

　　Furthermore, Tibet will make a documentary on Tibetan Opera and release it to countries all over the world, in an effort to publicize and promote the protection of Tibetan Opera.