Fusion of modernity, technology, heritage illuminates China Intangible Culture Expo

The Eighth China Intangible Culture Heritage Expo opened on Thursday in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, highlighting the integration of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into modern life, with technology-driven experiences taking center stage.

Themed "Protection, Inheritance, and Innovation", this year's edition showcases a total of 211 ICH items, with over 100 inheritors present to engage with attendees.

"I have participated in three consecutive China Intangible Culture Heritage Expos with my grandmother and my parents. This year, we are focusing on innovation, while in previous years, we paid more attention to traditional aspects of preservation," said Sun Geyao, an inheritor of sachet embroidering.

"I feel that everyone is showcasing their finest works to visitors and to their peers. This exchange elevates our skills and helps more people understand what we, as inheritors, are passing down and promoting," noted Wang Xuxian, an inheritor of tin carving technique.

The expo also highlights the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences, featuring interactive immersive activities in the world of ICH.

For instance, visitors can immerse themselves in the cloisonné production process through cutting-edge visual positioning technology, or step into the enchanting world of shadow puppetry via interactive experiences. They can even virtually fly kites, thanks to advanced spatial computing technologies. These innovations breathe new life into cultural treasures, illuminating the brilliance of Chinese heritage.

"Only by integrating with the times can ICH showcases its own value. By merging with daily life, it can shine anew. This expo features interactive projects that make up 70 percent of our exhibits, and we will host over 120 activities that bring intangible heritage into communities, schools, and businesses," said Ma Li, secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Jinan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

Fusion of modernity, technology, heritage illuminates China Intangible Culture Expo

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has reached 42,500, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement released on Friday.

Over the past 24 hours, 62 people were killed in Israel's military actions in Gaza. The Israeli attacks also wounded 300 others, taking the number of total injuries to near 10,000 since the current round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, said the statement.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office also stated that at least 33 Palestinians were killed on Friday evening by an Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

Among the killed were 21 women, and total fatalities may reach 50 as many victims have been trapped under rubble and buildings. The bombing injured over 85 people, some of whom sustained serious injuries, the media office said in a statement.

The data released on Friday evening reported that 39 people were killed by Israeli strikes on the blockaded enclave since the early hours of the same day.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 42,500 amid continued Israeli strikes