On November 13, 2025, the Workshop on Holistic Safeguarding and Sustainable Development for ICH in Yunnan, jointly organized by CRIHAP, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Centre of Yunnan Province, and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Centre of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, commenced in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province. Nearly 40 researchers and practitioners in intangible cultural heritage (ICH) safeguarding from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) as well as prefectures, cities, districts, and counties across Yunnan province participated in this workshop.

Attending the opening ceremony were Qubumo Bamo, Director of the Expert Committee of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center of CASS and researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Literature of CASS; Zhang Kaifeng, Deputy Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism; and Li Zhaomin, Deputy Director of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

This workshop aims to support the pilot program on holistic safeguarding and sustainable development of ICH in Yunnan province, enhancing the capacity and level of local Chinese departments in implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. CRIHAP has invited UNESCO facilitators Zhang Min and Suzanne Ogge, as well as Chinese ICH expert Qubumo Bamo, to conduct the training.

Over the course of four days, the three experts will explain knowledge and emerging topics related to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as the current state of ICH safeguarding in China. They will guide participants in sharing and exchanging ideas and exploring issues related to the holistic safeguarding and sustainable development of ICH. During the workshop, participants will also conduct field visits on various elements of Yunnan’s ICH, such as the Tie-Dyeing Techniques of the Bai people, Tea Customs (Three Courses Tea of the Bai people), Clay Sculpture, and Jia Ma Art (a form of traditional woodblock printing).