The 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Kicks off

Core Insights - The 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is taking place in Chengdu, China, from May 28 to June 3, 2025, showcasing nearly 600 intangible cultural heritage items [1][2] Group 1: Event Overview - The festival is co-hosted 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, focusing on integrating intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into modern life [2] - A "Guest Country + Guest City" mechanism is introduced, with Malaysia as the guest country and cities like Algiers, Penang, Chiang Mai, and Bari as guest cities, gathering 400 participants from over 60 countries and regions [3] Group 2: Technological Integration - A dedicated section titled "Technology Empowering ICH" features 16 research institutions and tech enterprises presenting over 30 interactive devices, incorporating VR tours and culture-themed games inspired by traditional ICH items [4] Group 3: Chengdu's Cultural Heritage - Since 2007, the festival has been a vital platform for showcasing heritage preservation and cultural exchange, with Chengdu hosting 336 ICH items recognized at the city level or higher, including 25 national-level treasures [5] - Chengdu organizes over 260 cultural heritage events annually, attracting 300,000 participants, and has 14 special cultural districts featuring ICH, contributing an annual economic value of 30 billion yuan and providing jobs for over 50,000 residents [6]