China News Service, Chaoyang, October 17 (Han Hong, Wang Xitong) The 4th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Annual Conference with the theme of "Ancient Charm Chaoyang Intangible Cultural Heritage Renewed - Let Intangible Cultural Heritage Illuminate a Better Life" kicked off in Chaoyang, Liaoning Province on the evening of the 16th.
On the evening of October 16, the 4th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Annual Conference with the theme of "Ancient Rhythm Chaoyang, Renewal of Intangible Cultural Heritage - Let Intangible Cultural Heritage Illuminate a Better Life" kicked off in Chaoyang, Liaoning. (Photo courtesy of Chaoyang Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department)
The event was co-sponsored by the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association, the Liaoning Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Chaoyang Municipal People's Government. Wang Xiaofeng, President of the China Association for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, said in his speech that since the annual meeting was held in 2023, it has adhered to the purpose of "keeping close to the people, keeping close to current life, and keeping close to economic development", adhering to the concept of "holding an annual meeting, building a brand, gathering a group of scholars, producing a group of results, holding a big fair, building a street market, supporting a group of successors, and benefiting the people", and strive to make the annual meeting a "gathering for inheritors and a festival for ordinary people."
Wang Xiaofeng said that this annual meeting integrates urban cultural identity into the theme system of the annual meeting for the first time. It has been listed by UNESCO as one of the 91 important activities of the "International Intangible Cultural Heritage Day" in the world, and has been promoted around the world. This is an important step for the China Annual Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection to go global. Holding the annual meeting in Chaoyang is not just a simple choice of venue, but a deep integration of intangible cultural heritage with the land and water, people's lives, and the development of the times.
Chu Tianyun, deputy governor of the Liaoning Provincial People's Government, pointed out in his speech that Liaoning will use this annual meeting as an opportunity to coordinate and promote the protection of intangible cultural heritage, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of intangible cultural heritage, let the historical and cultural heritage shine in a new era, and contribute to the high-quality development of intangible cultural heritage protection and inheritance.
Zhang Yaoding, deputy secretary of the Chaoyang Municipal Party Committee and Mayor, said that the China Annual Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection held in Chaoyang is not only a new starting point for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage in the Northeast region, but also a high recognition of Chaoyang’s profound historical and cultural heritage. It will definitely promote the innovative transformation of intangible cultural heritage resources and continue to release the contemporary value of China’s excellent traditional culture. Chaoyang City will work hand in hand with all parties to protect cultural treasures, strengthen the inheritance team, promote the in-depth integrated development of intangible cultural heritage and cultural tourism, cultural innovation, and scientific and technological innovation, highlight the unique charm of Chinese culture through the vivid practice of activated intangible cultural heritage, and contribute new and greater strength to the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
At the opening ceremony, performances of representative intangible cultural heritage projects with great characteristics and artistic appeal were presented one after another. As the intangible cultural heritage flowers bloomed one after another, the leaders and guests present jointly launched the launching device of the 4th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Annual Conference. The lights were bright and the atmosphere was warm, marking the official opening of this annual conference and the climax of the event.
At the event site, the "China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Annual Conference Brand Value Assessment Report (2026)", "China Intangible Cultural Heritage Communication Blue Book 2026", the "National Youth Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Support Program" 2026 selected inheritor list, and the results of Liaoning Intangible Cultural Heritage Expressway and Digital Empowerment Chaoyang Intangible Cultural Heritage were also released.
During the three-day period, the event set up key activities such as the "Five Good Intangible Cultural Heritage Collections", "Keynote Speeches", and "'Mountains and Rivers Encourage, Songs for the Rising Sun' Intangible Cultural Heritage Dance Tour". Representative projects and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from all over the country will demonstrate in various forms the vivid practice of intangible cultural heritage empowering a better life, allowing people across the country to personally experience the infinite charm of intangible cultural heritage treasures.
The fact that Chaoyang City can become the venue for the 4th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Annual Conference is inseparable from its unique and long cultural context. The precious cultural relics are not only the living carrier of Chaoyang’s historical memory, but also the city’s unique business card to the world. (over)
