The 9th Chengdu International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage opened this week, transforming the Chinese mainland city into a vibrant crossroads of global traditions. Over 60 countries and regions are participating, with artisans, performers, and cultural custodians demonstrating UNESCO-listed practices ranging from Indonesian batik to Turkish shadow puppetry.
Visitors explore interactive exhibits featuring intricate paper-cutting from Shaanxi province, rhythmic Korean nongak farmer’s music, and delicate Japanese washi paper crafts. The event coincides with new UNESCO reports highlighting Asia’s growing role in preserving living heritage, offering academics fresh case studies on cultural sustainability.
Business analysts note the festival’s economic ripple effects, with heritage-inspired design collaborations already announced between Sichuan embroidery studios and French fashion houses. For diaspora communities, live-streamed qin zither performances and Hmong textile workshops provide digital connections to regional traditions.
Travel experts recommend the festival’s ‘Taste of Heritage’ food trail, where Sichuan pepper meets Persian saffron in limited-edition fusion dishes. With attendance expected to surpass 2 million, the event underscores China’s cultural diplomacy efforts while celebrating humanity’s shared creative legacy.
