A traditional melody from southeastern Fujian blended with Xinjiang folk music. Shadow puppets from Beijing interacted with Uygur artistic elements. Ancient crafts from different regions found new forms of expression.
These encounters are among the highlights of the 2026 Xinjiang Is a Nice Place intangible cultural heritage exchange event, which opened on July 30 in Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
Held under the theme "Cultural Nourishment, Intangible Cultural Heritage Adds Brilliance", the event brings together 651 representative intangible cultural heritage projects and 549 inheritors from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the event runs through Aug 3, featuring exhibitions, performances, workshops, and cultural experiences.
This year's event places greater emphasis on interaction and collaboration. Exhibition spaces bring together resources from paired assistance provinces and Xinjiang regions, encouraging artists and inheritors to jointly explore new possibilities for traditional crafts.
At the venue, visitors can experience a wide range of cultural expressions, from traditional music and dance to handicrafts, cuisine, and creative products.
The "Dance and Music Collection", "Heritage Food Feast", "Science and Technology Exhibition" and "Inheritance Workshop" are among the themed activities designed to make intangible cultural heritage more accessible through immersive experiences.
For participating inheritors, the event is not only a platform to display skills, but also an opportunity to learn from one another.
A Beijing shadow puppet troupe, for example, created a special performance inspired by Xinjiang culture, combining its traditional storytelling techniques with local musical elements. Meanwhile, the centuries-old Beijing art studio Rongbaozhai explored the possibilities of using Xinjiang mulberry paper in woodblock watermark printing, seeking new artistic expressions through material innovation.
Since its launch in 2021, the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place intangible cultural heritage exchange event has become an important platform for cultural exchange and cooperation. Over the years, it has brought together thousands of inheritors and showcased numerous intangible cultural heritage projects, contributing to the wider practice of cultural exchange through heritage protection.
