Jinan's 2026 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day celebrations began on June 13 to show the city's efforts in preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage through a series of exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities.

To bring heritage culture closer to the public, the event's multiple venues were located across the city. A traditional Chinese culture-themed fair at Parc 66 and Shandong Arts & Crafts Exhibition Center had more than 60 booths with traditional handicrafts, creative cultural products, and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) experiences. Visitors were encouraged to join hands-on activities such as pyrography, porcelain carving, and paper-cutting.

The opening ceremony also introduced new initiatives aimed at promoting the preservation and transmission of traditional culture among younger generations. Among them was a youth-focused ICH promotion program that supports learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship related to traditional crafts.

In a move to combine heritage with new technologies, Jinan released a series of AI-generated short videos that present traditional cultural stories in a more engaging way. The city also launched its first ICH food map, featuring local specialties such as Bazirou braised pork and linking culinary heritage with cultural tourism experiences.

The ceremony concluded with performances that blended traditional cultural elements with modern technology, showing how traditional culture can thrive through creative and modern expressions.

A craftsman demonstrates Zhangqiu dough sculpture at a fair during Jinan's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day celebrations. [Photo/WeChat account: whg83212695]