-- Recently, with the final theatrical performance successfully held in Haikou, the five-day “2025 Hainan Free Trade Port – ASEAN Intangible Cultural Heritage Week” (hereinafter referred to as the “2025 ICH Week”) concluded its main events at the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center (Hainan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Center). With the theme “Sailing the Maritime Silk Road · Intangible Heritage Toward the Future,” this year’s ICH Week showcased eight major sections including exhibitions, performances, workshops, markets, academic exchanges, flash events, and more, creating a high-level dialogue platform for the protection, transmission, and innovation of intangible cultural heritage between China (Hainan) and ASEAN countries, injecting profound cultural strength into the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
“This grand event is a cultural tribute in the year that the Hainan Free Trade Port begins its closed customs operations, and it is also a vivid practice of mutual learning among regional civilizations,” said Chen Hongni, Director of the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center and the Hainan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Center. “Through the platform of ICH Week, we hope to bring different civilizations together in Hainan, allowing unique cultures to interact and eventually converge into shared beauty, demonstrating the true value of cultural exchange and sharing.”
This year’s ICH Week broke through traditional exhibition models, emphasizing the concept of “highlighting people, objects, and daily life.” It adopted an innovative and diversified approach that combined “international dialogue + immersive experiences” to achieve deep integration between intangible cultural heritage and contemporary life.
At the academic exchange level, the program balanced intellectual dialogue with on-site field research. The “Silk Road ICH · Shared Civilization” exchange brought together Chinese and international scholars and ICH inheritors for in-depth discussions on the protection and innovative development of intangible heritage. Meanwhile, the “Youth Power · New ICH Chapter” exchange inspired new-generation creators, fostering innovative proposals such as digital IP creation and ICH educational practices. Participants also visited the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center (Hainan Provincial ICH Center), Haikou Qilou Old Street, and the Hainan Coconut Carving Cultural Exhibition Hall for immersive field studies, uncovering contemporary value and new development paths for intangible heritage through case studies and practical exploration.
At the public experience level, a multi-dimensional ICH experiential network was formed. In the main venue at the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center (Hainan Provincial ICH Center), the special exhibition “Encountering Intangible Heritage · Thai Khon Masterpieces” showcased the essence of Thailand’s Khon masked dance drama through artifact displays and artistic presentations. The “Getting Close to ICH · ASEAN Traditional Performance Showcase” featured multiple consecutive days of performances including Thailand’s Khon, Malaysian Silat, Malaysia’s Dondang Sayang, and Indonesia’s Wayang kulit shadow puppetry—drawing enthusiastic crowds to the theater. Various ICH craft workshops allowed visitors to experience Thai Khon mask-making, China’s Wenchang gray sculpture, Indonesian Wayang kulit puppet crafting, Malaysia’s songket weaving, and China’s Li ethnic primitive pottery techniques. Flash parades also entered shopping districts, campuses, airports, and other urban spaces, bringing intangible heritage into everyday life with interactive and engaging experiences.
Notably, the 2025 ICH Week also introduced “ICH + Technology” elements, such as robotic guides and digital interactive installations, injecting new vitality into ancient intangible cultural heritage.
“I never expected to learn how to make a Khon mask right here in my own city, and even see live Khon performances in a shopping mall—it’s truly remarkable!” said Ms. Lin, a Haikou resident. “This way of bringing intangible heritage to life really makes traditional culture part of daily living.”
The successful hosting of the 2025 ICH Week explored practical and innovative paths for the living transmission of intangible cultural heritage. Through a systematic communication model of “exhibitions + performances + workshops + markets + academic exchanges + field visits,” the event achieved multi-layered and multi-dimensional cultural interaction. By integrating ICH into neighborhoods, commercial zones, airports, and campuses, the event opened new avenues for traditional culture to blend with modern urban life, allowing residents and tourists to experience the cultural warmth of the Hainan Free Trade Port and providing valuable references for the scene-based and lifestyle-oriented promotion of intangible heritage.
Looking ahead, Chen Hongni stated that the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center (Hainan ICH Center) will continue to leverage its role as a professional platform—both safeguarding cultural roots and promoting cultural innovation—to help intangible heritage thrive in a more open environment and create more opportunities for cultural exchange between China (Hainan) and ASEAN countries.
It is worth noting that the “Thai Khon Masterpieces Exhibition” will continue to be displayed in the first-floor special exhibition hall of the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center (Hainan Provincial ICH Center) until December 18. Residents and visitors are welcome to visit and continue experiencing the cross-border artistic charm of this tradition.
This event was guided by the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, and hosted by the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center (Hainan Provincial Academy of Arts, Hainan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center), with support from cultural (public art) centers and intangible cultural heritage protection centers across cities and counties.
Contact Info:
Name: Gao Yingyun
Email: Send Email
Organization: Hainan Provincial Cultural Center
Website: http://www.hnszwhg.cn/hns/index
Release ID: 89178570
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