China's national intangible cultural heritage expo to open in Chongqing

The ninth China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo will be held in Chongqing, southwest China, from Nov. 6 to 10, bringing together more than 800 representative intangible cultural heritage (ICH) projects from across the country to showcase achievements in preserving and passing on traditional culture.

The event is hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and co-organized by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and the Nan'an district government.

Held every two years, the expo serves as a platform for showcasing progress in ICH protection and inheritance, promoting the integration of traditional culture into modern life and enabling the public to share in the benefits of cultural preservation.

This year's expo, themed "Protecting and Inheriting Intangible Cultural Heritage for a Better Life ," will highlight efforts to safeguard and pass on traditional cultural practices while building on tradition through innovation.

Exhibitions will combine text, images and physical displays to showcase the latest achievements in the systematic protection of ICH in the new era, covering areas such as ICH protection and promotion, the integrated protection of cultural ecosystems and the development of ICH workshops.

The expo will also feature traditional music, dance and theater performances recommended by provincial-level regions across China. Programs will include folk songs, yangge dances, puppet shows and Pingtan performances , alongside distinctive Chongqing acts such as Chuanjiang Haozi, the work songs of boatmen on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and Mudong folk songs . Performances will be staged at different times throughout the event.

The organizers will also arrange matchmaking activities and themed dialogues to connect ICH workshops and project protection organizations with industry experts and market participants, facilitating cooperation between those involved in ICH protection and businesses.

A volunteer team comprising professional guides, ICH protection specialists and university students will provide explanations of the exhibits, traditional techniques and the cultural stories and significance behind them.