UNESCO Intangible Heritage Showcase & International Forum: A Global Festival Opening a New Chapter for Living Heritage
Aug 01, 2025
A Celebration of Intangible Heritage Unfolds on Turtle Island, Siheung in Fall 2025
Siheung, Republic of Korea – The international cultural enterprise Culture Masters, in collaboration with the Traditional Culture and Arts Association, and in partnership with UNESCO-accredited NGOs International Council of Cultural Centers (ICCN) and European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF), will host the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Invitational Performances and International Forum (IP-WIN 2025) from November 17 to 21, 2025, on Turtle Island in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, with support (pending) from Gyeonggi Province.
IP-WIN 2025 will feature a curated selection of traditional performing arts from around the world, each recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. These performances are rooted in oral epics, ancestor worship, and mythological narratives. More than a showcase, the event is a cultural dialogue that shares the spirit and emotion of living heritage with a global audience across generations.
Theme and Purpose
Living Heritage – Embracing Myths and Narratives
Singing and dancing the origins of humanity, weaving the memory of communities
IP-WIN 2025 highlights artistic expressions such as myths, legends, and oral traditions that have passed down ethical values and worldviews throughout human history.
These forms not only reflect the identity and spirit of communities but also provide insights into how cultural memory sustains human dignity and ecological harmony.
Based on the core values of the WIN Project, the event promotes the following principles:
- Voluntary participation and cultural equity
- Community-driven creative collaboration and mutual respect
- Sustainable operations and digital innovation
- Global solidarity and cultural diplomacy through art
Provisional Participating Countries & Intangible Heritages
| Country | Heritage Name | Mythological/Narrative Significance |
|---|---|---|
| India | Mudiyettu | Ritual dance based on the myth of goddess Kali and Darika |
| Korea | Gangneung Danoje | Shamanic ritual praying for community well-being and ancestor worship |
| Peru | Traditional Music of Latin Peru | Oral traditions alive in Indigenous and Mestizo music |
| Korea | Pansori | Korea’s narrative singing based on classical epics such as Chunhyangga |
| Vietnam | Ca Trù | Lyric music reflecting philosophy and contemplation of nature |
| Cambodia | Sbek Thom | Shadow play retelling the Khmer Ramayana story “Reamker” |
| Mongolia | Biyelgee / Khöömei & Ritual Dance | Sacred dances and overtone singing expressing harmony with ancestors and nature |
| Kyrgyzstan | Epic of Manas | One of the world’s longest epics, core to Kyrgyz identity |
| Kazakhstan | Dombra & Orteke | Puppet shows and music rooted in nomadic humor and rhythm |
※ Performance groups are being recruited focusing on UNESCO-inscribed intangible heritage.
Program Schedule (November 2025)
📌 IP-WIN 2025 Schedule Overview: Arrival of the foreign Participants - Nov 17 (Mon)
| Date | Time | Program | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18-19 (Tue-Wed) | 14:00 | Int'l Forum in Taekwondo as Intangible Cultural Heritage | Main Venue |
| Nov 20-21(Thu-Fri) | 10:00 | International Forums | Main Venue |
| 19:00 | Invited Performances | Theater | |
| Nov 22(Sat) | 10:00–18:00 | Excursions - Shiheung and Gyeonggi-do areas | |
| 19:00–22:00 | |||
| Nov 23 (Sun) | 10:00–15:00 | Departure | |
| 15:00–19:00 |
※ The program may be subject to change depending on local and national circumstances.
⚙️ Operational Guidelines Summary
- Voluntary Participation: Participants join at their own cost, respecting equality and agency in cultural exchange.
- Official Approval System: Applications will be reviewed and approved based on alignment with IP-WIN philosophy.
- Technical Support & Certification: Venue and equipment coordination, plus participation certificates provided.
- Awards & Promotion: Awards based on audience response and creativity; official promo kit provided.
- Sustainability: Eco-friendly operations, use of local resources, digital-first approach.
- Ethics & Diversity: Adherence to ethical standards of mutual respect and non-discrimination.
Global Significance
This event marks the launch of the “World Intangible Heritage Network (WIN),” initiating a global project that will expand through PRE-WIN 2026 and WIN 2028.
Although Culture Masters starts with modest resources, we aspire to open new possibilities for global cultural diplomacy through a ‘small but meaningful beginning’.
Intangible heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living language that offers solutions to global challenges such as community resilience, ecological balance, and intercultural respect.
IP-WIN 2025 is a humble first step toward a new model of cultural diplomacy where myth, memory, art, and sustainability converge.
Sponsorship & Partnership Guide
- Active participation from public and private partners is welcome
- Official partners will be acknowledged on websites, print, and promotional materials
- Sponsorship supports performances, cultural forums, and youth participation programs
- Organizations focused on ESG, CSR, or public diplomacy can raise their global cultural profile
- Your support builds a living cultural bridge between tradition and the future
Sponsorship & Participation Inquiries
Email: culturemasters.1@gmail.com
Website: www.culturemasters.org
Contact: +82 2 582 3350https://youtu.be/KtaKA7D_teA?si=Qt2L-1VH58d9IPNo
※ The program may be modified based on participating countries and local conditions.
© 2025 Culture Masters. All rights reserved.
Related Video: WIN 2025–2028 Promotional Video