In 2001, the year of the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, China succeeded in applying to the UNESCO for holding the International King Gesar Year in 2002. On the 31st conference of the in Paris, the commemorative activities of 1000th anniversary of epic King Gesar was officially placed in the list of anniversary commemorative activities of UNESCO projects in 2002-2003.

The Series of activities will be held by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Ministry of Culture of the P.R.C., the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of P.R.C., China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. The UNESCO will also participate in the activities. The whole commemorative activities consist four parts-academic lectures and international academic seminars, commemorative activities and Gesar art week.

Academic Lectures and International Academic Seminars

a) Academic Lectures of "2002-2003 commemorative activities of epic Gesar"
Time: March-May, 2002

b) International Academic Seminars of "2002-2003 commemorative activities of epic Gesar" (the Fifth Gesar International Academic Seminars)
Time: 2002/7/22-30
Lectures and Seminars will be held in Xi'ning, Qinghai province. Later, on-the -spot academic investigations will be made at the Guoluo area, which is often referred as the hometown of epic Gesar.

Commemorative Activities

A commemoration meeting will be held in the People's Great Hall at Tian'anmen square. Among the organizers there will be Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Ministry of Culture of the P.R.C., the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of P.R.C., China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and UNESCO.
Time: 2002/7/18

Gesar Art Week

Including Tibet dramas, Gesar singing and dancing shows, exhibitions of Gesar Tangka, one week exhibitions of achievements in Gesar studies.