2026 Women's Handicraft Inheritance and Innovation Seminar
On January 12, 2026, the "2026 Women's Handicraft Inheritance and Innovation Seminar", specially planned by the UNESCO Chair in World Traditional Crafts Inheritance and Innovation and organized by the Beijing Folk Art Inheritance and Cultural Communication Center, was held at the Wangjing Xiaojie Library in Chaoyang District, Beijing. The seminar gathered craftswomen, artists, scholars, and representatives of institutions from China, Germany, Latvia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Colombia, and other countries to jointly explore the core role of women in the protection, inheritance, and innovation of traditional handicrafts. The seminar kicked off with the performance of the famous guqin song "Spring Moon" by Hou Ju, a performer from the Beijing Kun Opera Theater. Participants engaged in multi-level and cross-cultural in-depth exchanges around the core topic of "Contemporary Inheritance and Innovation of Women's Traditional Handicrafts". The seminar not only actively discussed the important contributions of women to the continuation of traditional culture, especially the inheritance of traditional handicrafts, but also provided an international dialogue and exchange platform for researchers and inheritors from different sectors, injecting diverse inspiration into the development of women's traditional handicrafts in different regions.
The symposium gathered craftsmen, artists, scholars, and representatives of institutions from China, Germany, Latvia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Colombia, and other countries to jointly explore the core role of women in the protection, inheritance, and innovation of traditional craftsmanship
At the seminar, Hou Ju performed the famous guqin piece "Spring Moon Over Flowing River"
Chen Ping, the overall planner of this seminar, the chief host of the UNESCO Chair on the Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Handicrafts, and the dean of the Institute of Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries at Jinan University, presented the various challenges and difficulties faced by traditional handicrafts in his sharing titled "Inheritance and Innovation Practice of Traditional Handicrafts": how to face the aging and intergenerational inheritance of inheritors? How to ensure the authenticity of traditional craftsmanship and its compatibility with modern markets in the era of big data? How can the young generation truly identify with the rich connotation and emotional value of traditional handicrafts? How to integrate modern design into traditional elements to create new products that are in line with the times? And how to bring more dignified income to practitioners, especially female inheritors, so that they can have a sustainable development foundation. She had in-depth exchanges and sharing with the participants through the results of theoretical research and practical participation cases. She introduced that since Jinan University successfully won the UNESCO Chair in the Inheritance and Innovation of World Traditional Handicrafts in 2022, it has accumulated rich practical cases through continuous efforts and carried out multi-level dialogue, exchange and cooperation with the international community. It has achieved certain results in the training of young creative design talents, student participation in social practice, high-end academic dialogue, cross-border cooperation research and other fields.
Professor Chen Ping, Chief Planner of the Seminar, Chief Chair of the UNESCO Chair on the Inheritance and Innovation of World Traditional Handicrafts, Global President of the International Folk Art Organization IOV, and Dean of the Institute of Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries at Jinan University
Chen Ping stated that in addition to providing specialized training for young and female craftsmen, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary for modernization transformation, and promoting the deep integration of traditional craftsmanship and modern creativity, the key work of traditional handicraft teaching chairs should also build more international exchange and dialogue platforms, so that more people can realize the important value of traditional handicrafts for human development and their positive significance for future development, and participate in its protection and promotion work. She emphasized that the Chair will actively respond to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and enhance society's attention to traditional handicrafts, especially female practitioners, by building an international platform, reflecting the unique role of women in cultural diversity. Taking this opportunity, more Chinese female artisans will have the chance to showcase their talents, tell the story of China well, and promote the global dissemination of the value of Chinese cultural heritage. The conference successfully facilitated the collaboration between Chinese young fiber artist Yin Yue and Kazakh artist Aigu Zahankova, becoming a vivid practice of this concept.
Top: Tao Liming, Head of the Cultural Communication Center for Folk Art Inheritance.
Bottom: Dungu Munknasan, Head of the Asia Region of the International Folk Art Organization IOV (Mongolia)
Tao Liming, the head of the Beijing Folk Art Inheritance and Cultural Communication Center, mentioned in his speech that in today's globalization and rapid modernization, traditional handicrafts not only face the challenge of inheritance gaps, but also usher in broad opportunities for innovative development. As the main force of inheritance and an important force of innovation, women's perspectives, experiences, and creativity are of great significance for integrating handicrafts into contemporary life and achieving sustainable development.
Dungu Monknasan, the head of IOV Asia, an international folk art organization, pointed out that women are the core force in the inheritance and innovation of handicrafts. They not only carry cultural skills passed down from generation to generation, but also connect tradition and modernity in innovative ways, promoting handicrafts as a contemporary cultural expression and economic industry. The international community needs to further support women's participation in this field and jointly promote cultural sustainability.
Top: Kristin Kula, lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Culture, chairman of the Support Foundation for the Latvian National History Open Air Museum, former deputy director of the Latvian National History Open Air Museum, and member of the International Folk Art Organization IOV (Latvia)
Bottom: Honorary Professor at the University of Latvia, former head of the Ethnographic Department at the Institute of History at the University of Latvia, and member of the International Folk Art Organization IOV, Aya Jensen (Latvia)
Aya Jensen, member of the European Academic Committee of the international folk art organization IOV, honorary professor at the University of Latvia, and head of the ethnographic department at the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, and Kristin Kula, lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Culture, shared Latvia's measures and practical experience in protecting traditional crafts.
Above: Aigu Kosonova, People's Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Director of the Folk Song Teaching and Research Office of the Ethnic Music Department of the National Kurmanjazi Conservatory of Music (Kazakhstan)
Bottom: Dr. Aigu Zahankova, President of the Qazaq One National Association of Kazakhstan and Head of the IOV Kazakhstan Branch of the International Folk Art Organization (Kazakhstan)
Aigu Kosonova, People's Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Director of the Folk Song Teaching and Research Office of the Ethnic Music Department of the National Kurmanjazi Conservatory of Music, introduced the role and production of the traditional Chinese instrument Guzheng and ethnic music.
Aigu Zahankova, the head of the IOV Kazakhstan branch of the international folk art organization and the chairman of the Qazaq Oner association, stated that compared to the delicacy of European art, Kazakh folk art has more practical characteristics. Before the emergence of professional art, its art was centered around practicality, with materials serving survival. From household appliances to daily homes, all items were made by the public, either for personal use or exchanged with each other, and art and life were deeply integrated.
Aigu Kosonova (right), People's Artist of Kazakhstan and Director of the Folk Song Teaching and Research Office of the Ethnic Music Department of the National Kurmanqachi Conservatory of Music, introduces the production of ethnic musical instruments
Top: National Association Felt Master Zanar Nuspibayeva (Kazakhstan) Bottom: Founder of Children's Image Workshop Bisnius Kruger Krestha (Germany)
Kazakhstan felt master Zanar Nuspibayeva shared the inheritance and innovation of felt technology. Ms. Bisnius Kruger Krestha, founder of the German Children's Image Workshop, stated that art is an exploration of the deep development of creativity and emotions. Female handicrafts have built an important bridge between household chores and social production.
Kazakhstan Qazaq Oner Association President Aigu Zahankova and Felt Master Zanar Introduce Handicraft Works
Menuyet Kailatz, Manager of Aigu Limited Liability Partnership (Kazakhstan)
Associate Professor Tannurur Zakypbek from the Department of Ancient Instruments at the Kazakhstan National Conservatory of Music and the felt inheritor Zanar
Bisnius Kruger Krestha, founder of the German Children's Image Workshop, made a speech
Member of the Board of Directors of the Georgian Choreographers Association and Head of IOV Georgia, George Pilishvili (Georgia)
Dr. Yavel Gomez (Colombia), member of the International Folk Art Organization IOV
Associate Professor of Ancient Instruments Department at Kazakhstan National Conservatory of Music and member of the International Folk Art Organization IOV, Nurgur Zakipibek (Kazakhstan)
The seminar focuses on both traditional conservation and community practice. George Pilishvili, the head of the international folk art organization IOV Georgia, the artistic director and chief choreographer of the Georgian National Honored Dance Troupe "Eglisi", a member of the board of directors of the Georgian Choreographers Association, Nurgur Zakypbek, associate professor of ancient instruments at the Kazakhstan National Conservatory of Music, and Dr. Yavel Gomets from Colombia, brought diverse perspectives on art choreography and international strategy.
Hu Xinyu, director of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center, co-founder of Sihe Academy, and moderator of the seminar
北Hu Xianming, Director of the Department of Visual Communication Design at the School of Art and Design, Beijing Forestry University, and Ph.D. from the Central Academy of Fine Arts
Hu Xinyu, director of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center and co-founder of Sihe Academy, shared the importance of dialogue and promotion through years of practical cases; Hu Xianming, Director of the Department of Visual Arts at the School of Design, Beijing Forestry University, stated that designers should take responsibility for promoting and inheriting traditional culture, especially in the era of big data, and empower each other.
Contemporary artist, member of China Artists Association, member of China Women Artists Association
Senior Craftsman, Chief Craftsman of Beijing Gongmei Group Crafts Factory, and Young Master Craftsman Xi Wen
Women are the main inheritors and creators of handicrafts, weaving history and depicting the future with their nimble hands, "said Wang Mi, a young printmaker from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and a member of the China Artists Association. In the new era, how to innovate and develop these precious skills through inheritance and innovation is an urgent topic that needs to be explored.
Xi Wen, the chief craftsman of Beijing Gongmei Group Crafts Factory, expressed through his own creative practice case of designing and producing cloisonn é works that the current era has achieved female inheritors, and young female inheritors have made positive contributions to traditional handicrafts. She hopes that more craftsmen will continue to adhere to their core skills, and believes that with the improvement of young people's cultural confidence and economic strength, intangible cultural heritage crafts will surely usher in better development.
The cloisonn é works by young designer Xi Wen have received attention from attendees
Yin Yue, fiber artist, chief designer and partner of Fangji Kid
Pan Peng, Secretary General of Creative China Design Alliance
Yin Yue, a young fiber artist from Beijing, talked about the formation and development of artistic concepts through several stages of work creation. She described the unique visual and connotation that female creators give to their works through their own character role changes.
Pan Peng, Secretary-General of the China Creative Design Alliance, along with some media personnel in Beijing, attended the seminar.
The conference successfully facilitated the collaboration between Chinese young fiber artist Yin Yue and Kazakh artist Aigu Zahankova
Pan Lin, Deputy Secretary General of Creative China Design Alliance
Beijing Kunqu Opera House performer Hou Ju
Chen Ping, Global President of the International Folk Art Organization IOV, concluded his speech and hoped that everyone would pay attention to the protection of traditional handicrafts, as they are a common treasure of humanity
This event has received support from the International Organization of Folk Arts (IOV). This organization was established in 1979 as a professional institution with official consultative status with UNESCO. It has long been committed to the protection and promotion of folk art, and has a wide network and abundant folk art talents and resources worldwide. Its core mission is to promote world cultural diversity and international cultural exchange by protecting and inheriting excellent folk art. In 2025, Chen Ping was elected as the global chairman of the organization. Becoming the first woman from China to serve as the top leader of the organization.
Representatives attending the conference visited the China National Museum of Arts and Crafts
In order to enhance the delegates' intuitive experience of contemporary and traditional art in China, the conference team specially arranged rich cultural experience activities: guests visited the typical case of industrial site reuse in Beijing 798 Art Park; Appreciated the dance drama "Her Kucha" performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, which combines historical narrative and modern stage design spirit; Visited iconic art halls such as Tsinghua University Art Museum and China National Arts and Crafts Museum. From vibrant and diverse cultural parks to grand theaters, from exquisite Chinese craftsmanship treasures to vibrant contemporary art creations, they have left a deep impression on representatives from various countries. Several international guests expressed that this event is not only an academic exchange, but also a profound cultural experience. They were moved by China's profound art and craft aesthetics, and were amazed by contemporary China's cultural creativity and open attitude.
The delegates visited the Beijing 798 Art District, a typical case of industrial site reuse
The symposium successfully fulfilled its mission of promoting cultural diversity and enhancing international understanding through high-level international dialogue, substantive cooperation achievements, and in-depth cultural experiences, injecting new inspiration and lasting momentum into the inheritance, innovation, and sustainable development of global craftsmanship.
The participants unanimously agreed that in the past, women's handicrafts were often regarded as a practical life skill, embodying women's aesthetics and wisdom, allowing intangible culture and emotions to be passed down through tangible objects from generation to generation. However, in modern society, the space for women to express themselves has become much broader than before. Handicrafts are no longer limited to functionality or confrontation, but can delve into the inner world of women, purely showcasing the strength and brilliance of women's essence.
The delegates watched the dance drama "Her Kucha" at the China National Opera House
