American torchbearer gets warm welcome in Pingyao

China Daily Staff Writer
Updated: 2008-06-26 14:09

Source: [Xinhua]

American torchbearer gets warm welcome in Pingyao
China Daily Staff Writer
Updated: 2008-06-26 14:09

PINGYAO, Shanxi: Jeff Morgan, an urban planner from the United States, climbed down from the 600-year-old city walls of Pingyao to roaring cheers and to the beat of drums, holding aloft the Olympic torch June25, 2008 .

As executive director of the California-based Global Heritage Fund, he has been keenly involved in the conservation of Pingyao - a World Cultural Heritage - since 2006.

Before Pingyao, his organization was involved in the conservation of Lijiang, Yunnan province, for four years.

"I am thrilled that mayor Wang of Pingyao invited me to be an Olympic torchbearer. It was perfect timing that we came here two years ago. Tourism is still light and there is much that we can do here," he said.

Currently, Morgan's fund is involved in 12 projects in 10 countries, the one in Pingyao is the biggest.

The focus of its work is to restore 20 ancient buildings, to train local conservationists and tour guides, and to develop a "cultural heritage route" along which visitors can view the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) courtyards.

Morgan was one of the 208 Olympic torchbearers who took part in the relays in Yuncheng and Pingyao. And like him, many had contributed to the preservation of the cities.

Yuncheng and Pingyao are well known as film locations.

Yuncheng was where independent director Jia Zhangke set most of his movies in the 1990s and early 2000s, such as Xiao Wu, Platform and Unknown Pleasures.

Jia won the Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2006 for his portrayal of an alienated youth in an inland city. It was set in Yuncheng.

Pingyao was where Zhang Yimou, who will direct the opening ceremony of the Olympics, shot his first Oscar-nominated film Raise the Red Lantern in 1992.

Portrait of the Morgan Family in Pingyao Ancient City. (Taken June 24)

Photography by Xinhua News Agency reporter Peng Yang

Xinhua Net, Pingyao, Shanxi Province - June 25 (Reporter Wang Zhao Kun, Zou Wei)

This time round coming back to Pingyao in Shanxi Province, the 45-year-old Jeff Morgan brought his wife and three children with him. He said that he wanted his family to witness the “historic moment” of him holding the torch.

"I’ve eaten the local Pingyao cusine, strolled along the Ming and Qing Streets in Pingyao, and mounted the Pingyao ancient city wall." The American told the reporters that from beginning to understand the ancient city, to cherishing it, and to his eventual active participation in the protection of the ancient city, he has forged an indissoluble bond with Pingyao. In view of his
outstanding contributions towards the protection of the Pingyao Ancient City, he was selected as the only foreign Olympic torch bearer in Shanxi Province.

As the Executive Director of the American based non-profit organization, Global Heritage Fund (GHF), chief executive of the Global Heritage Foundation, Jeff Morgan has long been concerned about the preservation and development of Pingyao Ancient City, a World Heritage Site. He has led cultural heritage conservation and development experts on several missions to Pingyao, studying its existing conservation framework and discussed with the Pingyao County Government on the appropriate application of its conservation fund.

In the eyes of the Pingyao locals, Mr. Morgan is frank and forthright. "He gobbles down the Pingyao liquor and meat, just like the locals do; he likes wandering into the traditional houses watching the residents doing paper-cuttings, and falls asleep on their local kang bed when he’s tired. He will tell you his honest opinions if he spots dissatisfying conservation treatments in the City." said the locals who have had dealings with Morgan. He could barely speak any Chinese on his first visit, during the second visit, he could manage a few sentences; and this time, he can already try to have a direct exchange in Mandarin with the journalists.

Morgan said: "The Beijing Olympics will be very exciting, every Chinese should be proud of it. The torch relay shall be united and progressive."

From our understanding, Morgan and his organization, Global Heritage Fund, is projecting to invest more than 1 million US dollars towards the “3-step” preservation of the ancient city: drafting of the master conservation plan by relevant experts; commencement of demonstrative traditional courtyards conservation project that will lead to more active preservation activities for historic residences; and training courses for intangible cultural heritages such as traditional crafts, uncovering cultural heritages with developmental values, therefore encouraging sustainable tourism.

Jeff Morgan is also helping Pingyao to obtain development funds from international financial institutes for the purpose of conserving the city’s historical and cultural resources. Together with matching funds from the government and civil groups, he hopes to generate more employment opportunities for the young generation of Pingyao, ultimately helping Pingyao ancient city to realize benign self-sustainable development under the premise of cultural conservation; so that the local people can reap actual economic benefits while protecting the cultural heritage.

The Olympic Torch passed by the city of Pingyao in Shanxi Province this afternoon. This is a picture of torch bearer Jeff Morgan receiving an interview.

Video:
http://video.sina.com.cn/sports/o/v/2008-06-25/203812996.shtml

Olympic torch relay: Jeff Morgan, the only American torchbearer
in Shanxi Province

http://www.sxgov.cn
2008-6-23 11:39:57

Jeff Morgan, the Executive Director of the American based organization, Global Heritage Fund, is the only American torch bearer in Shanxi Province. Mr. Morgan has long been concerned about the preservation and development of Pingyao Ancient City, a World Heritage Site, and to that end devoted a great deal of passion and efforts. He has led cultural heritage conservation and development experts on several missions to Pingyao, studying its existing conservation framework and discussed with the Pingyao County Government on the appropriate application of its conservation fund; making outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic cities in Shanxi.

The Olympic torch relay is also a "cultural relay." Eastern and Western cultures all come from very ancient civilizations; the passing on of the sacred Olympic flame from Greece to China is a symbol of exchange and integration between the two civilizations. The selection of foreign torch bears for the 2008 Olympic Game has attracted expatriates from all walks of life in China including former Olympic athletes, pilots, TV actors, singers, and many civil employees, students and teachers. (Wang Keqin)



Source: Shanxi Youth Daily

The only American torch bearer in Shanxi Province:
the torch relay is also a “cultural relay”

Date: 2008-06-25 Source: China News Service
Author: Zhang Leijie, Liang Bo, Zhang Yun
Editor: Tang Weijie

The Olympic torch passed by the ancient city of Pingyao this afternoon, out of the 104 torch bearers, torch bearer number 94 attracted extra attention; the current Executive Director of the American bases Global Heritage Fund, Jeff Morgan, is the only foreign Olympic torch bearer in Shanxi Province. Jeff Morgan has long been concerned about the preservation and development of Pingyao Ancient City, a World Heritage Site, and to that end devoted a great deal of passion and efforts. He has led cultural heritage conservation and development experts on several missions to Pingyao, studying its existing conservation framework and discussed with the Pingyao County Government on the appropriate application of its conservation fund; making outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic cities in Shanxi.

In October 2006, Jeff Morgan led a group of experts including Francine Begin, Division Director of Architecture, Design and Heritage of Historic Quebec City, Canada to Pingyao for a three-day investigative visit. During this visit, GHF has also signed a cooperative agreement with the Pingyao County Government supporting the design of the master conservation plan and traditional residences restoration programs. The 2 programs cost about US$160,000 and 4 million yuan respectively; GHF funded 50% of these amounts, and helped lay the foundation for the conservation and development of the ancient city.

During July 12 to 15, 2007, Jeff Morgan again led another mission to Pingyao, with experts from Global Heritage Fund and the United States National Park Service (USNPS) to study the existing conditions and protection status of Pingyao ancient city. In particular, the experts from the USNPS conducted basic training for the staffs from the cultural heritage and tourism bureaus. The group also attended the presentation on "The conservation and management for Pingyao ancient city” and "Planning for the south and western buffer zones around the Pingyao ancient city". Some of the issues and additional thoughts were being raised and discussed by the expert group, providing professional advices and supports on the protection of the Pingyao ancient city.

From beginning to understand the ancient city, to cherishing it, and to his eventual active participation in the protection of the ancient city; he has forged an indissoluble bond with Pingyao. Under the leadership of Jeff Morgan, Global Heritage Fund has done great contributions to the protection and development of Pingyao ancient city.

Jeff was thrilled when he learned that he has been selected as a torch bearer. He thinks that the Olympic torch relay is also a "cultural relay." Eastern and Western cultures all come from very ancient civilizations; the passing on of the sacred Olympic flame from Greece to China is a symbol of exchange and integration between the two civilizations.

At 2:40pm on June 25, some blond children were playing under the foot of the Pingyao city wall, in front of the Yingxun Gate. Julian, the eldest, was curiously filming the historic city wall and passerby with his still and video cameras; his sister, Lucy, was also holding a small camera, taking random shots of the city. The youngest of the three, Sophie, looked like she’s only about 3 or 4 years old, had yet to master the camera, so she wandered around waving a little red flag in her hand.

These blond children under the ancient city wall drew extra attention; they are actually children of Jeff Morgan, the only foreign torch bearer in the Shanxi leg torch relay, who will be passing the torch on top of the city wall. The entire family is very proud of Jeff selected as the Olympic torch bearer in China, said Valerie Morgan, his wife. They have arrived in Pingyao on the late night of June 23. When people asked their impression about China, the elder brother Julian replied loudly in rigid mandarin: "China, it’s very cool!"

Mr. Morgan, an American, is the Executive Director of Global heritage Fund. He has has long been concerned about the preservation and development of Pingyao Ancient City, a World Heritage Site, and to that end devoted a great deal of passion and efforts. He has led cultural heritage conservation and development experts on several missions to Pingyao, studying its existing conservation framework and discussed with the Pingyao County Government on the appropriate application of its conservation fund; making outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic cities in Shanxi.

Around 3:30 p.m., Mr. Morgan appeared on the wall, waiting for the arrival of the torch. His three children are very excited, raising the small Olympic flags, shouting: “Go Daddy! Do Daddy!" While waiting for the torch on top of the city wall, Mr. Morgan spoke emotionally: "the Olympic torch relay is also a 'cultural relay’; the passing on of the sacred Olympic flame from Greece to China is a symbol of exchange and integration between the two civilizations, and I am very honor to become the envoy of transmitting the culture! " The Morgan couple is friendly and warm, their children innocent and adorable; the crowd at the scene and the reporters all liked them very much, asking to have pictures taken with them.

Around 4:00pm, No. 198 Pingyao leg torch bearer, Jeff Morgan, lighted the flame. He came running down the ancent city wall with a thousand year of history in loud cheers, passing on the flame to the awaiting Mongolian torch bearer Feng Lifang. They clapped their hands three times, shouted loudly: "Go China! Go Olympics!"

l

Wenhui Paper (a Hongkong based news agency distributed to Chinese population worldwide)
Reporter: Zhang Yulan, Luo Sheguan, Jun 25

Today, the Beijing Olympics torch relay began the “Harmonious Tour” in Shanxi Province. In the morning, the torch passed by the hometown of Guan Gong, a legendary historical figure well respected by Chinese all over in the world, and reached the origin of the Jin merchants, Pingyao. Along the way, several hundred thousand crowds cheered and waved their flags, giving a grand welcome to the Olympic torch, cheering for the Beijing Olympics and for the prosperity of China.

At 8am, a grand ceremony started off the transmission of the Olympic torch at the Nanfeng Plaza in Yuncheng city. Along the way many people used colorful balloons and flowers to form the Olympics 5-rings symbol and the number”2008”. The Yuncheng locals exhibited strong sense of pride in their local history and culture.

2 hours later, the flame transmission was completed for the Yuncheng leg. At 3pm, the flame
arrived in Pingyao, first passing by the new city, and then arrived on top of the city wall. This
is also the only leg for the Beijing Olympic torch to pass on top of a historic city wall. There
are altogether 17 torch bearers on top of the city wall; the last leg was Jeff Morgan, Executive
Director of Global heritage Fund.

Mr. Morgan has done great contributions towards the protection and development of Pingyao
ancient city. He has carried out several missions to study its monuments and traditional
residences, and has provided US$80,000 and 2million RMB for the purpose of conserving and
developing the ancient city.

The torch leg was divided into 3 stretches: outside the ancient city, on top of the city wall, and at the Yingxun Gate Plaza, starting off from the Pingyao County Government administration building ending at the Yingxun Gate Plaze of the ancient city. The route measures 5.5km in total, with participation of 104 torchbearers.

The oldest of the 104 torch bears is 72 years old and the youngest 17. The torchbearers include Jeff Morgan, Executive Director of Global Heritage Fund, a long time advocate of the preservation and development of Pingyao ancient city, Ni Yusheng, a common civilian who has being promoting the Olympic games for as long as 8 years by riding on his donkey, holding the big red flag that says” China’s in my heart!”, women wrestling world champion, Wang Zhaoli, and Su Huijun, an handicapped athlete.

Located in the middle of Shanxi Province, Pingyao ancient City has been designated a World Heritage Site due to its unique values and intact condition. The construction of the city followed strict traditional Han Chinese city planning concepts and layout. Within the enclosed city, there are 4 large avenues, 8 smaller roads, and 72 narrow paths that define the grid of the city. All of the residences in Pingyao Old City are built in the traditional courtyard style; in particular, the vaulted brick and earthen structures reflect strong vernacular essence. There are 3797 extant courtyard residences in Pingyao, 400 of which have been well preserved. In addition, Pingyao is also dotted with temples of varying scales and traditional commercial storefronts, presenting a very picturesque image of old China.

Pingyao's rustic atmosphere gives visitors a glimpse into the glory of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Pingyao is also one of the origins of the famous Jin merchants and once the most important financial center in China; China's first draft bank, Rishengchang Exchange Shop is located right here.

Pingyao ancient city expecting Olympic flame
http://bbs.kutj.com/thread-108344-1-1.html

CCTV PingYao
http://intl.2008.cctv.com/20080526/106230.shtml

Official Site
http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/pingyao/photos/n214419755.shtml

CCTV Video
http://www.cctv.com/video/NewsHour/2008/06/NewsHour_300_20080625_15.shtml

Pingyao ancient city expecting Olympic flame
http://chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2008-06/23/content_6786647_7.htm