Academic reveals his passionate interest in China and stresses importance of heritage, Yang Feiyue reports in Changsha.

Under the midday sun at the main celebration venue of China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, Peter Ditmanson, in shaded glasses, took the stage — his lenses darkened by the glare, though they couldn't quite hide the faint smile on his face. Speaking in gentle, fluent Mandarin, the American historian and professor at Yuelu Academy, Central China's Hunan University, was the only international guest to address a large audience at the celebratory event in the provincial capital Changsha on June 14.

Ditmanson shared a story that stretched back 1,000 years — a tale of debate, scholarship, and the enduring spirit of one of China's oldest academies.

For more than six years, the man in his 60s has made Yuelu Academy his intellectual home. He has translated historical documents, championed digital humanities initiatives, and brought new light to old traditions.

"Cultural heritage is a shared treasure of humanity," he said to the crowd.

Sitting at the foot of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Yuelu Academy was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Over time, it was expanded to include key functions such as lectures, book collections, and ceremonial offerings.