Chengdu hosts 6th International Intangible Cultural Heritage

By CGTN's Liu Yang, Zhang Kai

The 6th International festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage is underway in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and the event will last till June 18.

The event aims to provide training for cultural inheritors, as well as getting the public involved in protection efforts in order to keep intangible cultural heritage alive.

June also marks China's first ever "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day," which was established at the end of 2016 by China's Ministry of Culture. 

The festival in Chengdu includes a series of international forums and conferences, competitions, performances and other events promoting the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. 

The event invited guests from more than 17 countries including performers from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania countries.

Firstly established in 2007, the International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage has been held every two years.

All the items or skills shown at the event are listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, but at different levels, including provincial, national, or international. For instance, at the Belt and Road Countries Hand-craft Exhibition, people will have a glimpse of old-fashioned carpet made by artists from Turkey.

One of the highlights of this year's event is that it is the first time that artists from the Belt and Road countries to participate the Belt and Road Craft Show. 

Artists from countries including Italy, Spain, France, and Turkey displayed their beautiful art works to people in Chengdu, a rare opportunity for many residences in the city to enjoy the exotic exhibition. 

The purpose is to intensify the international exchange of arts and crafts mutual learning and cultural trade, according to the organizer.