Shenzhen - Known as the first exhibition in China’s cultural industry, the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) is underway. This year the fair has attracted over 300 overseas exhibitors from 65 countries and regions to participate both online and offline with over 120,000 pieces of cultural products on display. Over 300 top-tier brand cultural and technological companies from home and abroad have participated in this fair. Along with rich cultural displays, some new highlights different from previous fairs can not be missed.
The fusion of culture and AI technology
What’s the highlight of the ICIF this year? The answer must be the application of AI technology. Echoing the high-tech age, the ICIF this year is empowered by Artificial Intelligence. The AI exhibition area is set up at the fair for the first time. At the same time, ranging from robotic coffee makers, robotic pianists and robotic arm writing calligraphy, to boxing with robots the application of AI technology can be seen here and there at the fair. Playing chess against AI has been appealing to both adults and teenagers. One young chess player said “I have played Weiqi since I was 5. I take the challenge from the AI because I believe that the wisdom of human beings can defeat AI.” Wang Chaozhu, a popular Chinese calligrapher, interacted with a robotic arm produced by a Chinese company. After Mr Wang saw his handwriting facsimiled by the robotic arm at the site, he gave thumbs up to it and said “It’s so marvelous!”
Bring in & go abroad: a shared journey
A participant student introducing the model showing the coexistence between Three Gorges Dam and the preservation of biodiversity (Photo by Mu Xuelin)
While drawing inspiration from “bringing in” foreign culture, the ICIF newly adds the Culture Going Abroad exhibition area and Innovation Incubation Showcase for the World and Chinese Youth to boost more cultural products and services to be seen on the global stage. Youth are the future of our world. At the Hi World Global Youth Creative Expo, a group of special curators are middle school students. They designed proposals that express their in-depth insights in culture, technology, and society through multiple forms. For instance, some students created a model that displayed the coexistence between Three Gorges Dam and the preservation of biodiversity to dispel misunderstandings in the world.
Cultural exchanges bridging different civilizations closer
At the ICIF, people from cultural industry gather together to have dialogues about the development trends, share experiences, and seek cooperative opportunities, which bridge different civilizations closer. The consul-general of Consulate General of Türkiye in Guangzhou, Mr Kaan Baskurt, shared his opinion on the ICIF “ The ICIF is a great platform to promote Turkish culture, tourism and cuisine to Chinese people, and it has also contributed to strengthen not only commercial ties but also people-to-people contacts.” A visitor from Wales, Andrew, told iChongqing reporter “I don’t have so much time to travel in China, but the ICIF brings China to me. So much to See! I love the arts, crafts, and technology!”
Chongqing at the ICIF (Photo by Mu Xuelin)
Chongqing has also made a stunning show at the ICIF. With the theme of"Mountain-River City, Creative Chongqing", it showcases it innovative vitality and urban charm of Bayu culture through four immersive zones, namely “Creativity, intangible cultural heritage, light and shadow, flavor”. With immersive experiences and cultural storytelling being integrated through interactive technologies, Chongqing’s dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity is unfolding at the ICIF.