General Secretary Xi Jinping came to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum on the morning of July 13.

The reporter's camera freezes this moment——

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi

　　After watching the rap show of the Kirgiz heroic epic "Manas", General Secretary Xi Jinping had a cordial conversation with the inheritors of the "Manas" intangible cultural heritage, praised their performance for being very infectious, and took a group photo with everyone.

　　"Manas" is a heroic epic of the Kirgiz people. It tells the story of the hero Manas and his seven generations of descendants who have fought against evil forces one after another.

　　For thousands of years, "Manas" has been passed down by word of mouth.

Folk singers play an important role in the creation and inheritance of epics.

　　Among the eight performers who took a photo with General Secretary Xi Jinping, there were two inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, who stood beside the General Secretary.

Master Jiangnuri Turganbayi, 56 years old this year, is a herdsman in Wuqia County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, and has sung "Manas" for 30 years; apprentice Maize Tali Yetiku, only 10 years old 14 years old, a middle school student in Wuqia County.

　　"I have been singing "Manas" with my mother since I was 3 years old. In Kezhou, both urban and rural primary and secondary schools have set up "Manas" interest classes, and we have joined the inheritance team since we were young." Little Corn Tali said.

　　"Manas" is the culmination of Kirgiz folk literature and music. It has been sung and immortalized for thousands of years. It has been translated into various languages ​​and has become the common cultural wealth of mankind.

　　This precious group photo is reminiscent of the scene three years ago: on July 15, 2019, when General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected Inner Mongolia, he watched the rap show of the classical national epic "Gesa (S)er" at the Chifeng Museum. Gesar (S)er had a cordial conversation with the inheritors of the intangible cultural heritage.

He pointed out, "We must attach importance to the protection and inheritance of ethnic minority cultures" and "cultivate inheritors, and pass them down from generation to generation."

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi

　　The three epics "Manas", "Gesa (S)er" and "Jiangeer" were all included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists and are precious cultural heritages of the Chinese nation.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping has always been concerned about the protection and inheritance of national culture.

For these three epics, he has repeatedly mentioned them on multiple occasions, praising them as "great epics that shake people's hearts."

　　It is because of General Secretary Xi Jinping's far-reaching consideration.

　　"Our splendid culture is jointly created by all ethnic groups. Chinese culture is the culmination of the cultures of all ethnic groups." In September 2019, at the National Commendation Conference for National Unity and Progress, General Secretary Xi Jinping took three epics as examples, emphasizing the cultures of all ethnic groups With each other's radiance and radiance, the Chinese culture lasts forever, which is the root of our strong cultural self-confidence today.

　　Cultural identity is the deepest level of identity.

To keep the cultural roots is to keep the soul of the nation.

　　During the Xinjiang inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The Chinese civilization is broad, profound, and has a long history. It is formed by the convergence of the excellent traditional cultures of various ethnic groups. Cultural heritage such as "Manas" is not only the precious wealth of ethnic minorities, but also the The precious wealth of the Chinese nation must be protected, passed on, and sorted out so that it can flourish."

　　Producer: Zhao Cheng

　　Planning: Zhang Xudong

　　Main writer: Shi Jingnan

　　Coordination: Zhang Xiaosong, Luo Hui, Wang Xuan, Zhu Jichai

　　Vision: Li Tao, Hao Xiaojing

　　Editor: Wu Jingjing, Bao Yuhan

　　Produced by Xinhua News Agency

　　Produced by the first studio of Xinhua News Agency