CHENGDU, China, May 29, 2025 – The 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is underway from May 28th to June 3rd at the Chengdu International Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park.

The festival, a joint effort by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, UNESCO, and the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, showcases approximately 600 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items through exhibitions and performances. With a focus on integrating ICH into contemporary life, the event highlights innovative advancements in merging traditional culture with technology and encourages strong partnerships between ICH-related intellectual properties (IPs) and relevant industries.

For the first time, a “Guest Country + Guest City” approach has been implemented, with Malaysia as the guest country and Algiers (Algeria), Penang (Malaysia), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Bari (Italy) as guest cities. The festival has attracted 400 participants, including ICH practitioners, academics, government representatives, and foreign diplomats stationed in China, from more than 60 countries and regions.

This year features a dedicated “Technology Empowering ICH” section, where 16 research institutions and technology companies will present over 30 interactive devices. Drawing inspiration from ICH elements like silk weaving and the folklore of Journey to the West, the exhibits incorporate VR experiences, culture-based games, and short videos, revitalizing traditions.

Since its launch in 2007, the International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has been held successfully eight times, becoming a key platform to display heritage preservation successes and promote cultural exchange. As the host city, Chengdu has also achieved significant milestones in preserving its local intangible cultural heritage. Chengdu boasts 336 ICH items recognized at the city level or higher, including 25 national treasures. The city also has 382 officially recognized ICH practitioners, 21 of whom hold the esteemed national-level master title.

Statistics show that Chengdu organizes over 260 cultural heritage events for the public each year, drawing 300,000 attendees. These activities have fostered widespread public interest in preserving intangible cultural heritage. Chengdu now features 14 special cultural districts dedicated to ICH, along with 227 traditional craft product lines. Together, they generate an annual economic output of 30 billion yuan and support more than 50,000 local jobs. The “Chengdu Handicraft” brand has collectively generated over 400 million yuan in sales for heritage inheritors, showcasing the substantial commercial potential of ICH industrialization.

Source: The Sichuan Provincial People’s Government

CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Hou, Tel: 86-10-63074558

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