Intangible Heritage Research Articles

Visualisation Design-Driven Research on Non-Heritage Dissemination and Digital Reproduction

This paper is entitled "Study on the Dissemination and Digital Reproduction of Non-heritage Driven by Visualization Design". Against the background of the rapid development of digital information technology in national development, the application of information visualization design in the dissemination and digital reproduction of intangible cultural heritage is discussed. Through the dissemination of digital media and the production and analysis of visualization, the dissemination and digital representation of intangible cultural heritage is promoted. The research in this paper focuses on the dissemination and digital reproduction of intangible cultural heritage, aiming to make readers pay attention to intangible culture through visualization design visual presentation and to guide the development direction for intangible heritage inheritance and development.

Exploring the Connotation and Function of Guqin Art from the Perspective of Origin

In 2003, UNESCO officially included the art of guqin in the second batch of the World Representative List of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting the extraordinary status of guqin in global culture. As the oldest plucked instrument in China, the guqin has always been an outstanding representative of excellent traditional Chinese culture, carrying rich cultural connotations and profound historical heritage. This article aims to analyze the production of guqin from its origin, explore its cultural connotations and functions, and understand the charm and value of ancient guqin art.

The Origin of Chinese Guqin Development

The guqin, with a history of more than 3,000 years, is one of the oldest plucked musical instruments in China, and has been regarded as “the instrument of the saints” by Chinese literati throughout the ages. As a “representative of the oral and intangible heritage of mankind”, the guqin unites the essence of Chinese culture and is not only the root of Chinese traditional culture, but also a symbol of Chinese civilization. This paper takes time as the axis, space as the surface, and historical materials as the evidence, and on the basis of fully studying the existing guqin literature and unearthed relics, it combs through and explains the developmental sources of the Chinese guqin, with a view to further clarifying the developmental sources of the Chinese guqin.

From Handicraft to Intangible Heritage: A Study on the Historical Change and Development of Batik Culture in Anshun

In the process of historical development, Anshun batik has experienced three development stages under different social and economic backgrounds, which are daily necessities in agricultural society, commercial handicrafts in the reform and development period, and Intangible Cultural Heritage technology in modern society. As a kind of traditional handicraft with strong practicability, even though it has the new identity of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Anshun batik, like other handicrafts, is also subject to the great impact of social changes and is facing the crisis of inheritance and development. Under the tide of Intangible Cultural Heritage protection, how to enhance the survivability of Anshun batik so that it can be integrated into contemporary life and better inherited and developed is the issue that this research attempts to explore.

Journey towards unlocking intangible heritage’s tourism potential: supply-side perceptions, involvement and dynamics

ABSTRACT This research addresses the challenges and opportunities in integrating Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) into Cultural Heritage Tourism (CHT) offerings. Despite the growing interest in ICH, comprehensive research on its effective incorporation into CHT is lacking. Qualitative research was used employing interviews with 13 representatives from four case study areas known for their significant ICH offerings in the Dutch-speaking regions of Belgium and the Netherlands. Three research questions were formulated and tested to understand stakeholder collaboration, knowledge levels, and the complexities surrounding the term ‘ICH.’ The findings reveal a deficiency in stakeholder cooperation and varying levels of knowledge among supply-side stakeholders. The term ‘ICH’ itself was found to be complex but manageable through education and ethical sensitivity. The study recommends the involvement of an impartial mediator to facilitate stakeholder collaboration and suggests that heritage communities should be actively engaged in the process. Limitations include focusing on specific cultural and linguistic groups and incomplete stakeholder representation. The research has practical implications for policy formulation and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and offers a nuanced understanding of the challenges and solutions for integrating ICH into CHT.

Shenzhen’s Policies on Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Practices of Digital Dissemination

This paper examines the protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage in sports dance within Shenzhen, focusing on specific practices such as the Longgang Dragon Dance, Bao'an Qilin Dance, Longgang Qilin Dance, and Nanshan Yi Dance. Through comprehensive field investigations and direct interviews, it explores the current state of intangible cultural heritage preservation and transmission in Shenzhen. The analysis details the implementation of relevant policies and identifies that the potential contributions of online communities and grassroots organizations in promoting the conservation and inheritance of these cultural forms remain underexploited. The study proposes that heritage custodians more systematically leverage digital technologies to enhance the propagation of intangible cultural heritage. This, in turn, will foster the high-quality development of Shenzhen's cultural heritage.

Music Characteristics and Regional Differences in (SHE) Ethnic Minority Folk Songs: A Comparative Analysis of Ningde and Eastern Fujian Regions

Tucked away in the stunning province of Fujian in southeast China, the region has a cultural tapestry as varied and vibrant as its breath-taking scenery. Through the analysis and coding of folk songs from four different geographical regions in China (Fujian and Ningde), this paper aimed to determine the degree of mutual interaction and integration of the musical cultures of the Shen and Han nationalities into modernity. It did this by developing a new musical characteristic density map for machine music classification. The nationality known as (SHE) is a small ethnic group in the area. The traditional cultural heritage as well as the growth of the (SHE) nationality have lagged behind the rapid advancement of modern times. This study investigates how to incorporate the culture of the (SHE) nationality into modern culture in order to fully realise the goal of "going out," starting from the conventional cultural heritage and creative growth of the (SHE) nationality. This paper discusses the formation of the (SHE) Minority folk songs in the context of protecting intangible cultural heritage. It does this by using the methods of literature research, field investigation, and comprehensive analysis to gather first-hand fresh field data from the components of historical evolution, protection process, inheritance method, development dilemma, and countermeasures. Questions of development and inheritance. The world will recognise the allure of the traditional culture of the (SHE) nationality as it is continuously enhanced and vibrant.

All-round robots inherited from intangible cultural heritage

This study aims to deeply explore the application and impact of the intangible cultural heritage all-purpose robot and its supporting APP in rural tourism. Through case analysis, theoretical discussion and data statistical analysis, it is expected that the smooth implementation of this project can bring significant economic benefits to rural residents. Increase revenue while promoting and inheriting intangible cultural heritage, improving tourists’ travel experience, and thereby enhancing the reputation of the local tourism industry. This study will provide useful reference and reference for the innovative development of rural tourism.

The omitted variable: musical bamboos, environmental sustainability, and the ecological implications of an intangible cultural heritage in the Bolivian Andes

ABSTRACT This article examines the heritagization process of the highland flute-making community of Walata Grande, focusing on the environmental sustainability of native woody bamboos used in flute making in the Bolivian Andes. It explores how Aymara flute makers’ involvement in national cultural heritage politics intersects with broader ecological issues of resource use and environmental sustainability from an ecomusicological perspective. Through ethnographic fieldwork among flute makers, bamboo traders, and cultural heritage state officials, I analyse how Walateño flute makers view their cultural heritage as a means of decolonisation, economic protectionism, and tourist promotion. Simultaneously, they avoid discussions about musical bamboos due to concerns over losing autonomy in the management of an essential resource. I conclude that the intangible cultural heritage initiative in highland flute making offers only a limited solution to the challenges of sustaining musical bamboos. Although UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) advocates for the constant recreation of ICH by heritage communities, it is crucial to consider the material economic structures in which these cultural recreations are embedded and their ecological and environmental implications, especially given the current context of musical bamboo unsustainability.

An Analysis of Research Trends for Using Artificial Intelligence in Cultural Heritage

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been increasingly applied in assisting various cultural heritage (CH)-related tasks. The aim of this study is to examine the research trends and current applications of AI in this vast domain. After obtaining a dataset from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, a scientometric analysis of research publications from 2019 to 2023 related to the use of AI in CH was conducted. The trending topics based on the author’s keywords were identified by using the ScientoPy v2.1.3 software. Through this approach, five main topics were identified: classification, computer vision, 3D reconstruction, recommender systems, and intangible cultural heritage. The analysis highlights the upward trend in publications in this field since 2019, indicating a growing interest in the application of AI techniques in CH. By analyzing the latest research in the field, it is observed that AI techniques are mostly applied to assist CH in the discovery, description, classification, and preservation tasks. The report gives insights into the main research areas and developing trends in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The study offers important information about the key research areas and emerging trends related to using AI techniques in the CH field. This helps to recognize the potential, development, and increasing influence of these technologies within the CH domain. The findings of this study contribute to the future development of AI applications in CH, enabling professionals to use the advantages of these technologies.

Research on the digital inheritance and development of Weixian paper-cutting from the perspective of intangible cultural heritage

As a traditional folk art in northern China, Weixian paper-cutting has been listed in the national intangible cultural heritage list and has rich cultural connotations and artistic value. However, with the acceleration of modernization and changes in lifestyle, the inheritance of Weixian paper-cutting faces severe challenges, including a decrease in the number of inheritors, shrinking market demand, and a decline in the younger generation's attention to traditional culture. The rapid development of digital technology has provided a new opportunity for the inheritance and development of Weixian paper-cutting. This study aims to explore the application and practice of digital technology in the inheritance of Weixian paper-cutting from the perspective of intangible cultural heritage protection. The study found that digital technology can not only enhance the cultural communication power of Weixian paper-cutting, but also bring it the possibility of innovative design and broaden its marketization path. Through the analysis of the digital practice of Weixian paper-cutting, this paper puts forward countermeasures and suggestions in the future in terms of digital platform construction, policy support and inheritor training, providing a theoretical basis and practical reference for the sustainable inheritance of Weixian paper-cutting.

Business and Life: A Study on the Cultural Branding of Xilankapu in the Xiaonanhai Town Region, Qianjiang District, Chongqing

The study is based in the Xilankapu Industrial Park in Xiaonanhai Town, Qianjiang District, Chongqing, and aims to explore the development and transmission of the cultural brand of Xilankapu in the region, as well as the economic strategies that the local community has developed around it. Using interviews as the primary research method, eight Xilankapu intangible cultural heritage inheritors were interviewed. Through analysis of the interview data, the study concludes that the preservation and development of Xilankapu have significant potential. However, to enhance the recognition and transmission of Xilankapu, the industrial park needs to break with tradition and create a distinctive cultural brand.

Cultural Heritage Manifestation in Computer Role-Playing Games for Enhancing Museum Experience: A Model Proposal

ABSTRACT This article proposes a model for integrating computer role-playing games with museum experiences to enhance cultural heritage learning with a particular focus on design. Centered at the Izmir Archaeology Museum, the study delves into the design of a serious game aimed at enriching both the educational and experiential facets of museum visits. The model highlights the use of gameplay components and design patterns to manifest tangible and intangible heritage content, thereby promoting visitor awareness and understanding of cultural heritage. Through a provisional game scenario based on the museum's prehistoric artifact exhibition, the study illustrates how a gameplay design approach that is informed by heritage content displayed in the museum can be prototyped. The proposed model not only aims to make museum visits more engaging, but also seeks to contribute to the broader discourse on game design, game-based learning, and museum experience.

Study on the protection of Mongolian Chor music as cultural heritage in Northern China

The Mongolians in northern China have a vast distribution and a long history. Chor music is the cultural heritage of Mongolian in the north. After the rise of "Intangible Cultural Heritage upsurge" in the 21st century, scholars and folk artists rose to protect it and there were successively studies on Chor music theory, Chor music form and Chor historical evolution. However, scholars only focus on the research on the origin, classification, evolution and protection of Chor music, while the research on the relationship between Chor music and modern culture, summarizing that Chor music can be widely spread and recognized in modern society is lacking. This study mainly adopts qualitative methods in empirical research with literature research, field investigation and interview etc. to discusses the modern forms of Chor music, analyze the adaptation techniques in modern Chor works and identifies the musical elements recognized by the public. Therefore, we draw the conclusion of four-dimensional protection methods which includes preservation, innovation, crossover and communication.

Pasto varnish: 3D virtualization of an intangible cultural heritage

The artisanal technique of "barniz de Pasto" (Pasto varnish) in Colombia is an example of an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) that requires urgent safeguarding processes due to a number of factors, including weakened practices, disrupted transmission, and environmental deterioration. The term "Pasto varnish" refers to an ancient artistic tradition from southern Colombia, which was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) by UNESCO in 2020. This technique entails the decoration of diverse surfaces, including metal and wood, through the application of a thin, malleable film of natural resin derived from the mopa-mopa shrub (Elaeagia pastoensis L.E. Mora), which exhibits the capacity to adhere to a range of surfaces. This article presents the results of the 3D virtualization process of 22 heritage pieces from this technique, which are exhibited on the Virtual Pasto Varnish (VPV) website. The construction of this website entailed the implementation of three domains of virtualization: (i) 3D Documentation, wherein data pertinent to the heritage were collated; (ii) 3D Representation, wherein 3D material corresponding to the heritage artifact was created; and (iii) 3D Dissemination, which facilitated the dissemination and conservation of the 3D data. The results of this project demonstrate that virtual heritage can serve as a collaborative instrument for the integration, safeguarding, and promotion of research on ICH through the data, paradata, and metadata obtained during the 3D virtualization process. This article puts forth the proposition that virtual heritage makes significant contributions to ICH, particularly in regard to the continual recreation of living heritage through self-recognition, the dynamic conservation of its artifacts, and the contextualized research of its data. It can be concluded that for ICH materialized in artifacts—such as the case of Pasto varnish—virtual heritage becomes an important preservation tool when tradition bearers can be actively engaged in the process of "reviving the aura" of the heritage data.

Research on the Construction of a Sichuan Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive Chinese-English Parallel Corpus

This study aims to construct a Chinese-English parallel corpus of Sichuan's intangible cultural heritage (ICH) archives to facilitate the protection, inheritance, and international exchange of ICH. Through field research, literature review, and the application of digital technology, this project analyzes the current state of Sichuan's ICH archives, discusses the construction plan for the Chinese-English corpus, and proposes strategies to enhance the internationalization level of ICH inheritance and exchange. The research results indicate that the construction of the Chinese-English corpus is of great significance for the digital protection of ICH resources, optimization of translation practices, and promotion of cultural heritage.

Exploring the Impact of Cultural Policies on the Inheritance and Performance of Ersu Tibetan Folk Songs

This paper explores the effects of cultural policies on the performance and inheritance of Ersu Tibetan folk songs in Xieluo Township, Sichuan Province, China. The Ersu Tibetans, a small branch of the Tibetan ethnic group, have experienced significant transformations in their cultural practices due to government efforts to preserve and promote their intangible cultural heritage (ICH). These policies, while contributing to economic benefits and visibility, have also led to shifts in performers' identities and a growing commercialization of their traditional music. Through ethnographic fieldwork, this study examines the tensions between cultural preservation and commercialization and offers policy recommendations to balance the authenticity of Ersu Tibetan folk songs with modern performance demands.

Harnessing Vernacular Knowledge for Contemporary Sustainable Design through a Collaborative Digital Platform

Vernacular architecture offers valuable technological and typological solutions rooted in knowledge systems that connect environmental, social, economic, and cultural contexts. This paper introduces the Heritage for People Platform, a collaborative digital tool developed under the VerSus+ project (Creative Europe Program), aimed at organising and disseminating vernacular architectural knowledge with a focus on sustainable practices that are both culturally and environmentally conscious. The platform builds upon lessons learned from similar projects, offering key improvements such as the adoption of a Case-Based Reasoning methodology, which organises examples by geographic location, materials, and intervention types. A structured classification system based on sustainability principles and strategies enables cross-disciplinary research and comparison. The design process was highly participatory, incorporating user feedback at every stage to ensure the platform is accessible to a wide range of users, including designers, scholars, craftspeople, and the general public. A cross-device, user-centered approach further broadens its accessibility. The platform provides a public, web-based geospatial repository where users can create, update, and explore a dynamic collection of artefacts, design models, people, and institutions from across the globe. This tool marks a significant advance in promoting and preserving both physical and intangible heritage, with strong educational and practical applications for sustainable architecture. The paper details the theoretical framework and real-world potential of the platform as a critical resource for promoting sustainability in the built environment.

The role of historical knowledge among contemporary Druze in Lebanon: applying anthropology to preserve intangible cultural heritage

The millennium-long history of the Druze continues to shape members’ sense of ethnoreligious particularism and relations with other groups in Lebanon. Their contemporary heritage narrative and processes of enculturation are associated with basic knowledge of community history in the region. Participant interviews provided insight into the role that knowledge of history and dogma plays in shaping the identity politics of the Druze community. An applied anthropological and political economy approach offers contextualization of the factors that shape contemporary Druze cultural heritage. This work seeks to identify the connections among the community’s social problems, including exogamy, apathy, poor relations with other religious groups, and a self-described knowledge gap. By exploring the role of formal and informal cultural resources among the Druze, this study offers new insights into the role of history in shaping attachment to ethnoreligious community identity.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION DESIGN WITH GAZENNE WOVEN FABRIC THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF KEMALIYE

This study explores garment design applications that enhance the sustainability of Gazenne fabric. The primary objective is to promote this fabric as a tangible cultural asset, integrating it with sustainable and slow fashion movements to embed it in daily life. The featured collection, “Boomerang,” embodies the theme of sustainability and caters to women who value longevity and versatility in their wardrobe. The collection showcases designs characterized by recyclable, sustainable, and interchangeable elements. It aims to create a nexus between historical and futuristic fashion by utilizing “Gazenne Weaving Fabric,” indigenous to the Kemaliye district of Erzincan. This fabric, which received its geographical indication in 2013, has revitalized traditional weaving techniques and provided new employment opportunities. A central goal of this research is to rejuvenate Gazenne weaving—an endangered intangible cultural heritage—and repurpose it for contemporary apparel. Accordingly, the collection comprises garments designed for durability and versatility, facilitating various combinations with other clothing pieces. The research methodology includes a collection design of ten outfits conceptualized under the “Sustainability” theme, supported by a literature review and an experimental design approach. Two selected garments from this collection exemplify the practical application of sustainable fashion principles, emphasizing the use of Gazenne woven fabric. Ultimately, this study underscores the potential positive impacts on sustainable fashion, cultural heritage preservation, and local economic development. These findings may inspire similar initiatives and encourage the adoption of more sustainable, responsible practices in the fashion industry.