On 10 19, the "World Heritage · Dialogue of Civilizations" roundtable was held in Jingdezhen as a key event of the 2026 Jingdezhen Forum. Guests exchanged views across three dimensions: "Conservation and Balance," "Value and Transformation," and "Civilization and Dialogue." Discussions covered long-term governance of living heritage, how world heritage can empower high-quality urban development, and ways to jointly promote mutual learning among civilizations.
Guardianship and Balance: A Shared Challenge for Heritage Cities
For World Heritage Cities, the greatest challenge is not preserving heritage itself, but finding the right balance between conservation, daily life, and development.
Iznik, Turkey, a historic city renowned as the "Porcelain Capital" of Turkey, features ceramic motifs throughout its streets. It shares a porcelain legacy with Jingdezhen and is officially designated as a sister city for cultural exchange.
Ahmet Kaya, Deputy Mayor of İznik, explained during the dialogue that İznik has passed through multiple ancient civilizations, including Roman and Ottoman eras, with its ceramic craftsmanship evolving alongside these historical periods. Over the years, the local community has implemented extensive efforts in cultural preservation and intergenerational transmission. Currently, they are collaborating with Jingdezhen to advance joint projects, and future exchanges between the two cities in ceramics and other fields will reach new heights. "Cultural preservation and inheritance is never the responsibility of a single city; it is a shared duty for everyone worldwide. We must do everything possible to pass this heritage to the next generation," said Ahmet Kaya.
Incorporate heritage into the city's long-term planning
Rovaniemi, Finland, was named a UNESCO Creative City of Architecture in 2025 and has accumulated extensive experience in the living heritage of Lapland's traditional culture.
Vice Mayor of Rovaniemi, Andy Mata, shared that for them, the boundaries of cultural heritage extend far beyond old buildings. They are deeply intertwined with the local natural environment and urban fabric. Heritage protection must be fully integrated into long-term urban planning, ensuring architects and artists incorporate heritage value into every new design. "Preservation does not mean freezing the city in time. We must safeguard our unique urban character while providing ample space for new housing and emerging industries to thrive. That is true balance."
Bringing traditional crafts to life in modern living
As Europe's earliest hard-porcelain brand, Meissen has been mastering this craft for 300 years.
Tankred Lenz, investor and founder of the Meissen Ceramics Academic Exchange Center, stated that for 300 years, Meissen has never treated heritage and innovation as opposing forces. Instead, they have safeguarded core craftsmanship while continuously adapting to contemporary aesthetic sensibilities. Today, they frequently collaborate in-depth with ceramic institutions and independent artists worldwide, infusing traditional processes with fresh ideas from global creators. This allows the DNA of classic porcelain to evolve into new forms—enabling the public to understand the historical weight of ancient ceramics while also experiencing firsthand the myriad possibilities of modern ceramics integrated into everyday life.