The 3rd International Seminar on Water Culture Successfully Held

On the afternoon of October 14 (CST), the 3rd International Seminar on Water Culture was held at the Summer Palace in Beijing, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and renowned royal garden. Co-hosted by the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) and UNESCO, and organized by the Beijing Summer Palace Management Office, the seminar brought together a diverse group of experts. Li Jinxiu, Vice President of IWHR, Li Jinxiu; Mr. Shahbaz Khan, UNESCO Representative to Chin; Li Xiaoguang, Director of the Summer Palace Management Office; and Mr. Ludovic Andres, Officer from the Environmental and Cultural Heritage Section of the French Embassy in China, delivered speeches during the seminar. Other distinguished guests included Li Xiaolin, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Ministry of Water Resources, and Li Gao, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Park Management Office. Lv Juan, Deputy Director of the Research Center on Flood and Drought Disaster Reduction, hosted the opening ceremony.

The theme of this year's seminar, Tracing Water Civilizations - Wisdom and Culture in Hydraulic Heritage, aimed to reflect Xi Jinping thought on culture, promote the exploration of water culture, and foster dialogue between different civilizations. Experts and scholars from various countries and international organizations shared their insights on ancient water management systems in Greece, Rome, India, and China. They engaged in in-depth discussions on uncovering the modern relevance of hydraulic heritage and promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of water culture.

In her speech, Vice President Li Jinxiu emphasized water's critical role in human civilization's development. She highlighted the importance of learning from historical water management practices and raising public awareness about water issues. She stressed that building a strong water culture is vital to tackling the global water crisis.

Shahbaz Khan reiterated UNESCO's full support for the seminar, noting that water is the lifeblood of the planet and a key factor in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. He also stressed that water is a fundamental source of civilization and a cornerstone of culture. He stated that this year's seminar focuses on sharing the hydraulic heritage and cultural wisdom of the four great ancient civilizations and pointed out that these discussions encouraged efforts to identify and protect cultural and natural heritage sites around the globe that are considered of outstanding value to humanity, including water-related heritage.

Li Xiaoguang, Director of the Summer Palace, welcomed the seminar attendees, pointing out that the Summer Palace, as a dual World Cultural Heritage site, has long held both significant water functions and cultural value, embodying China’s deep water management wisdom and cultural essence.

Mr. Ludovic Andres emphasized that hydraulic heritage, beyond its aesthetic value, plays an irreplaceable role in supporting production, livelihoods, and social and economic development. He noted that understanding water-related heritage and the cultural elements in water resource management worldwide is critical for shaping a sustainable future in water resource management.

The seminar featured keynote speeches from scholars representing Greece, the UK, India, and China, with topics ranging from "The Evolution of Ancient Greek Water Treatment Technology," "The Hydraulic Civilization of Early China," "An Analysis of the Conservation and Drainage Efficiency of the Ancient Roman Aqueducts at the Campania Site," "The Summer Palace - A Living Museum of Hydraulic Cultural Heritage," to "From Ancient to Modern - The Key to Sustainable Use of Hydraulic Heritage." Discussions explored the water management systems of ancient civilizations and the significance of preserving hydraulic heritage and its cultural wisdom.

The Evolution of Ancient Greek Water Treatment Technology

loannis K. Kalavrouziotis

As early as 3000 BCE, ancient Greece was capable of constructing complex wastewater discharge and treatment systems. In the Mycenaean civilization of western Greece, drainage facilities were built using stone blocks at that time. The world-renowned Theater of Dionysus already addressed drainage and water recycling issues, using recovered water to irrigate surrounding gardens and farmland. By the Roman era, compared to those built in the ancient Greece, the drainage systems had seen significant improvements, with embedded systems allowing household sewage to be discharged into the sea via underground drainage channels—some of which still function today.

The Hydraulic Civilization of Early China

Niu Zhiqi

Chinese civilization is one of the earliest in human history, with water management being a crucial factor in its origins and development. The project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization confirmed through archaeological excavations in the Yellow River, Yangtze River, and Liao River basins that Chinese civilization spans over 5,000 years. Historic sites such as Liangzhu, Taosi, Pingliangtai, and Jijiaocheng have revealed early hydraulic facilities, underscoring the significance of water management in nurturing early Chinese civilization. Hydraulic planning influenced the selection and construction of cities, supported agricultural development through early irrigation, and showcased urban water management techniques in drainage systems, all reflecting the profound impact of early water civilization on the evolution of Chinese society.

Analysis of the Conservation and Drainage Efficiency of the Ancient Roman Aqueducts at the Campania Site

Maria C Monteleone

The Campania region of southern Italy contains many archaeological sites, including aqueducts and drainage systems from the Roman era. These systems were used in the private villas of wealthy merchants and nobles. These included water channels, cisterns, public baths, and drainage ditches. The most famous is the Aqueduct of Augustus, built in the first century BCE and functioned until the 4th century. Some water facilities, like the Pompeii Forum drainage system and the Baiae Baths, still function today. The Pompeii system collected water in underground reservoirs before being discharged via drainage channels. Baiae Baths also has an independent water supply, water collection and drainage system. Archaeologists and researchers have long worked together to restore these systems to increase their drainage efficiency, which have suffered from silt blockages and flood damage over the centuries.

The Summer Palace - A Living Museum of Hydraulic Cultural Heritage

Wang Shubiao

As a dual World Cultural Heritage site, the Summer Palace holds both significant water conservancy functions and cultural value. Built in the 15th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign during the Qing Dynasty (1750 AD), the palace is the last royal garden of the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" in the western suburbs of Beijing. The hydraulic facilities—such as bridges, sluices, culverts, and docks—are a testament to its excellent water management system, making the Summer Palace a rare source of material for studying ancient hydraulic engineering. Although many of these facilities, especially the dozens of bridges and sluices around Kunming Lake, no longer function, they have been carefully preserved and restored to maintain their historical integrity. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project terminates at Tuancheng Lake, highlighting the palace's extraordinary water conservancy.

From Ancient to Modern - The Key to Sustainable Use of Hydraulic Heritage

Deeksha Katyal

Water has always been central to Indian civilization. In Indian culture, water is seen as a purifying element, and purification rituals involving water are performed before temple visits, prayer, or religious activities. Water is also associated with creation and is seen as the essence of life. Therefore, Indians see rivers as extremely sacred. Bathing in rivers, especially the Ganges, is believed to cleanse one's sins and bring spiritual value. Water culture has had a profound impact on Indian civilization and the reverence for water has contributed to preserving temples, highland, and heritage connected to sacred rivers. Additionally, the emphasis on the role of water in agriculture promotes and ensures the sustainable development of Indian agriculture and food security. Ancient Indian texts also contain extensive references to water, reflecting the deep connection between water and spirituality.

Following the keynote presentations, Professor Philippe Gourbesville, President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) and Executive Deputy Editor of River, a journal at IWHR, chaired an academic forum. Experts engaged in lively discussions on the preservation and sustainable use of hydraulic heritage, drawing on ancient techniques for modern application. They also exchanged views on the impact of climate change, policy-making, and sustainability of environmental protection with heritage conservation.

Prior to the seminar, participants conducted a field study of the Summer Palace's hydraulic heritage. The entire seminar was streamed live online, with a cumulative online audience of nearly 500 viewers.

Since its inception in 2021, the International Seminar on Water Culture, initiated by IWHR and co-hosted with UNESCO, has been successfully held for two consecutive years. The first two seminars were held online, focusing on the "Inheritance and Innovation of Water Culture" and "Water and Environment in Human Traditional Cultures." This year's seminar marked the first in-person event and was a resounding success.