UNDP- DADAWA

　　“Preservation and Revival of Ethnic Music in China”

　　Goodwill Action

　　Yunnan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Qinghai have much more to offer than picturesque landscapes and majestic natural sceneries. The surrounding areas are gifted with a rich culture heritage thanks to their inhabitancies by a number of ethnic groups, famous for their musical talents, distinctive vocal skills and unique instruments. Moreover, their artistic capacities, creating a pleasing blend of creativity and uniqueness, contains more than music per se, but rather a mix of many cultural characteristics - a fascinating demonstration of traditional social life, habits and folk customs.

　　However, in the wake of globalisation, and its widespread effects - economic integration and the influence of foreign cultures - the preservation of the traditional ethnic music and culture is severely endangered. Moreover, since ethnic cultural expression is often handed down from generation to generation, passed down from mouth to ear, it is increasingly difficult to protect and preserve this music. As a result, many forms of traditional ethnic music are now vanishing - they are losing their originality and are becoming more and more scattered.

　　Traditional ethnic music is not an asset exclusively for China – they are treasures for the world to share. In this connection, the United Nations and various artists devoted to protect this traditional music, have come together. Dadawa, an internationally well known vocalist and UNDP China Goodwill Ambassador, honoured for her contribution in the field of World Music, has been taking the lead to launch the “preservation and revival of ethnic music in China” Goodwill Action – an action plan aimed to save and create a wider awareness and knowledge on these valuable culture heritages.