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By Zhu Jingning
The Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo (HCIE), celebrating its 18th edition, kicks off today under the theme “Creative Hangzhou, Connecting the World.” With its main venue set at the Hangzhou Baima Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center, the event, running until Oct 21, features five themed halls and 20 sub-venues spread across districts and cultural sites.
The expo is designed to showcase the city’s achievements in building an international cultural and creative center and to highlight the new productive forces in boosting high-quality cultural industry development. You will get to see and experience diverse, cool, and fun creations from home and abroad, along with awesome high-tech arts.
New platform: promoting cultural exchange
This year’s expo will attract top-tier international cultural resources from 68 countries and regions, including France, Italy, England, Portugal, Spain, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Thailand, setting a record for the number of participating countries. The main venue is expected to feature more than 5,500 cultural brands, with 70% of international brands being exhibited for the first time.
Chinese and foreign craftsmanship will be exhibited side by side. Two major exhibition areas, “City Walk in Europe” and “Ingenuity Horizon—International Cultural and Art Exchange Exhibition”, will feature highlights such as the French children’s book exhibit Gaspard et Lisa, an AR experience of the ancient city of Pompeii, the charm of Shitamachi, and the Egyptian exhibition Pharaonic Footprints. A special showcase called “Bringing Cultural Relics to Life” will display cultural products inspired by Hangzhou’s unique heritage. Meanwhile, a China-France performance area will be staged, with acts from the Avignon Theater Festival and Chinese shows performed in turns. Leading cultural institutions from France, Italy, Ireland, and prestigious universities, such as the University of the Arts London and the Royal College of Art, will also make their presence at HCIE and generate new possibilities.
New opportunities:
fostering industry collaboration
The expo will continue to focus on trends in the global cultural industry, with over 100 experts gathering to discuss innovation in craftsmanship, design, AI-generated content (AIGC), and cultural industry trends. Key reports and indices will be released, solidifying the expo’s role as a barometer for the cultural industry. The event will include 20 industry-focused activities, including cultural project signings, talent networking, panel discussions, and index launches.
New vitality:
heralding digital intelligence innovation
This year’s event will also highlight the fusion of digital and cultural industries, showcasing cutting-edge technologies like AIGC, AR, and XR. The new “Digital Innovation & New Scenarios” hall will feature leading Hangzhou-based cultural products, including China’s first AAA game Black Myth: Wukong, AI platforms, and advanced robotics. Zhejiang University and the China Academy of Art will also present how technology is empowering cultural preservation and innovation through exhibitions and interactive experiences.
New experiences:
fun and interactive consumption
The expo will embrace creative trends, with fresh and fashionable approaches to highlight the beauty of traditional Chinese culture. The China Craft Week zone will display more than 30 brands, such as Made in Nature, Wanfeng Tenon & Mortise, and Handmade Creation of Wans, and will launch more than 30 interactive handicraft experience activities to multidimensionally display the beauty of Chinese tradition and Hangzhou’s characteristics in handicraft innovation. In addition, the first HIF Hangzhou Illustration Art Exhibition will showcase works from over 100 illustrators, while the RUA RUA PANDA exhibition will display over 300 panda-themed cultural products. Toy enthusiasts will be in for a treat as they can enjoy their celebration at HTS Hangzhou Trend Station with over 30 global brands.
Expanding horizons: a shared cultural feast
This year’s expo spans 65,000 square meters across the main venue, with 20 sub-venues around the city hosting over 100 events from September to December. Various venues will also hold cultural showcases and creative activities, aiming to bring the event to every corner of the city. The Hangzhou International Music Industry Expo, Wuyue Market, Fuchun Mountain Residence Life Season, and Qiandao Lake Creative Life Week will also be held in succession, providing local residents with a cultural feast at their doorstep.
The online platform Yunshang Songyun has linked up with 17 local Hangzhou museums through games, lotteries, and knowledge quizzes. In addition, this year’s cultural expo has attracted domestic cities such as Chongqing, Suzhou, Taiyuan, and Ningbo to participate, promoting regional cultural industry synergy and sustainable development.
If you long to refresh your life and make creativity a daily habit, the HCIE will be the right event for you.