Chengdu: Malaysia has been named the guest country at the ninth International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), taking place from May 28 to June 3 at the Chengdu International Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the festival is co-hosted by the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO. It features nearly 600 representative ICH items in a series of exhibitions and performances.
For the first time, the festival introduces a 'Guest Country + Guest City' mechanism, with Penang (Malaysia), Algiers (Algeria), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Bari (Italy) named as guest cities, according to a statement. The event is centered on integrating ICH into modern life, highlighting the convergence of traditional culture and modern technology. It showcases innovative achievements in ICH-branded intellectual property and industry collaborations.
More than 400 participants, including cultural heritage practitioners, scholars, officials, and foreign envoys from over 60 countries and regions, are attending the event. A special segment titled 'Technology Empowering ICH' features over 30 interactive exhibits by 16 research institutions and tech firms, with displays incorporating virtual reality (VR), games, and short videos inspired by heritage elements such as silk weaving and the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West.
Since its inception in 2007, the festival has become a platform for cultural exchange and heritage preservation. Chengdu, the host city, is recognized for its commitment to safeguarding ICH, boasting 336 items designated at the city level or above, including 25 at the national level. Chengdu also has 382 certified ICH practitioners, including 21 national-level masters, and holds over 260 public heritage events annually, drawing 300,000 participants and promoting cultural preservation.
Currently, Chengdu is home to 14 cultural districts dedicated to ICH and 227 traditional craft production lines. These contribute approximately 30 billion Chinese yuan in annual economic value and generate employment for over 50,000 residents. Its 'Chengdu Handicraft' brand has recorded cumulative sales exceeding 400 million Chinese yuan. (100 Chinese yuan = RM59.04)