By hannover-web.com On October 10, during a press conference in Beijing, it was announced that the 8th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo will be held from October 17 to 21 in Jinan, Shandong Province. This year marks the 20th anniversary of China’s approval to join the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The expo will focus on the theme “Protecting and Inheriting, Innovating with Integrity,” showcasing the achievements made in the protection of intangible cultural heritage over the past two decades.
The expo aims to highlight the beauty of intangible cultural heritage in modern life, bringing these traditions to life. It will emphasize the ecological, craftsmanship, entrepreneurial, and mutual appreciation aspects of intangible heritage by setting up themed exhibition areas such as “Ecological Beauty Revived,” “Innovative Craftsmanship,” “Charming Rural Landscapes,” and “Beauty in Exchange and Mutual Learning.” These areas will illustrate the flourishing progress of China’s systematic protection and orderly inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. An exchange and sharing event named “Integrating Intangible Heritage into Modern Life” will invite exhibition units, professional buyers, and individuals from the heritage sector to discuss and explore innovative developments, modern dissemination, and fashionable expressions related to intangible heritage. Tourism sites, historical cultural districts, and cultural enterprises will be invited as professional buyers, creating a platform for project protection units and relevant businesses to connect supply and demand, ensuring that intangible heritage not only enriches the mind but also strengthens the economy.
The expo will also showcase the vibrant contribution of young people to the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. With a dedicated exhibition area for higher education institutions specializing in intangible heritage training, visitors will see innovative creations by students, including miniature models of the Taihe Palace, contemporary Suzhou embroidery, and the exquisite silver work of the Miao ethnic group. These creations reflect the fresh energy of the “second generation” in nurturing and carrying forward intangible cultural heritage.
In addition, the expo will explore the intersection of intangible heritage and new technologies, making these traditions more relevant to modern audiences. New media platforms and technological applications that promote intangible heritage will be invited to display their latest results, creating immersive experiences. For example, attendees can wear AR glasses to virtually step into vast wheat fields, experiencing the grandeur of cultural gatherings, or interact with shadow puppets in a responsive environment, bringing characters to life with their movements. The kite-flying area allows participants to feel the joy of releasing kites into the sky, emphasizing connection with nature.
Moreover, the exhibition hall will feature interactive and immersive mini-theaters for visitors to dress up, listen to music, taste tea, and participate in craft activities. There will also be a small stage for live performances of traditional music, dance, drama, and sports, ensuring that attendees experience the richness of intangible cultural heritage firsthand. In total, 211 projects will be showcased, including 147 nationally recognized representative projects.
