Seocho & Shiheung, Republic of Korea – The international cultural enterprise Culture Masters and the Advocacy Alliance for Culture Masters, in collaboration with the Inter-City Coalition for Culture Network (ICCN) and the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF)—both UNESCO-accredited NGOs—and with the support of Gyeonggi Province, will host IP-WIN 2025 – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Showcase & International Forum from November 19 to 22, 2025, at the Performing Hall in Seoul Seocho & Shiheung City, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea.

Aerial view of the Turtle Island (Geobukseom) area in Siheung, the venue of IP-WIN 2025

IP-WIN 2025 features a curated selection of traditional performing arts from across the world, each inscribed on UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and rooted in oral epics, ancestral rituals, and sacred narratives. More than a celebration, the event invites global audiences to experience the emotional depth, spiritual worldview, and cultural memory that living heritage carries across generations.

📜 Theme & Purpose

Living Heritage – Embracing Myth and Narrative
Singing and Dancing the Origins of Humanity, Weaving the Memory of Communities

IP-WIN 2025 focuses on artistic expressions that embody the shared memory of humanity—myths, legends, and oral traditions that transmit ethical values and cosmologies across generations. These art forms reflect a community’s identity and worldview, while also offering insights into how cultural memory sustains both human dignity and ecological harmony.

Guided by the foundational values of the WIN Project, IP-WIN 2025 upholds:

Autonomous participation and cultural equity;

Community-led co-creation and mutual respect;

Sustainable practices and digital innovation;

Global solidarity through artistic dialogue.

🌍 Tentative Participating Countries & Heritage Elements

Country Heritage Element Mythical/Narrative Significance

India MudiyettuRitual dance based on the myth of Kali and Darika.

Korea Gangneung Dano Gut Shamanic rite for cosmic balance and ancestral blessing.

Peru Latin Peru Ensemble Indigenous and mestizo musical traditions rich in oral history.

Korea Pansori Narrative singing of classical epics like Chunhyangga.

Vietnam Ca Trù Chamber music interwoven with philosophical poetry.

Cambodia Sbek Thom Shadow play based on the Khmer Reamker epic.

Mongolia Biyelggye / Khoomei & Ritual DanceThroat singing and sacred dance evoking harmony with nature.

Kyrgyzstan Epic of Manas One of the world’s longest epics, central to Kyrgyz cultural identity.

Kazakhstan Dombra & Orteke A musical-puppetry folk tradition expressing humor and rhythm.

🗓️ Program Schedule (November 16–21, 2025)

The program is subject to change depending on the organizer’s circumstances.

📌 IP-WIN 2025 Main Schedule

November 16 (Sunday)

Afternoon: Welcome Reception

Networking event for international guests, dignitaries, and participating delegations

Part I – November 16–17 (Sunday–Monday)

[International Meeting]

Theme: Taekwondo and Intangible Heritage – International Seminar and Cooperation Meetings

Agenda:

Dialogue on the global promotion of Taekwondo (South–North Korea collaboration)

Presentations on safeguarding intangible heritage

Expert exchanges and networking opportunities

[Performance Hall] UNESCO Intangible Heritage Performances

Part II – November 20–21 (Thursday–Friday)

[Performance Hall] UNESCO Intangible Heritage Performances

Participating Countries: Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Peru, Mongolia, UAE (TBC)

Highlights: UNESCO-inscribed heritage performances + Special Joint Taekwondo Demonstration (South & North Korea)

[Conference Hall] International Forum – Urban Cultural Strategies & Heritage Lineages (“Finding Our Roots”)

Session 1: Intangible Heritage and Urban Sustainability

Session 2: Heritage Lineage & Community Resilience

Session 3: Expert Roundtable & Adoption of the Action Plan

November 21 (Friday)

Closing Ceremony

Adoption of the Joint Declaration:

Support for the global promotion and UNESCO inscription of Taekwondo

A shared vision for global solidarity through intangible heritage

📍 Venues:

Novotel Ambassador Suwon

Seocho-gu Performing Hall & International Conference Hall (Seoul & Siheung, Republic of Korea)

⚙️ Operational Principles & Participation Guidelines

IP-WIN 2025 is designed as a participatory, ethical, and sustainable global festival. The following principles guide its planning and operation:

Autonomous Participation
Participants join the festival at their own initiative and expense, reflecting core values of equity and autonomy in cultural exchange.

Application & Approval
Performance and exhibition opportunities are curated based on submitted applications. Only proposals aligned with the event’s vision will be officially approved.
※ Submission does not guarantee participation.

Technical & Logistical Support
Approved participants may receive technical assistance, venue access, or equipment in coordination with the organizers.

Local Information Support
Self-funded participants will be provided with regularly updated information on affordable accommodations, meals, and transport.

Certificates of Participation
All officially approved performers and exhibitors will receive a formal Certificate of Participation issued by the organizers.

Awards & Recognition
Based on creativity, emotional impact, and audience engagement, selected performances may be recognized with awards and modest prizes within budgetary scope.

Honorary Distinctions
Individuals or groups contributing significantly to the event may receive honorary awards or letters of appreciation.

Documentation & Archiving
All performances and exhibitions will be professionally documented and digitally archived for future educational and promotional use.

Media Collaboration
Participants will be provided with official media kits (logos, posters, hashtags), and the event will be covered by national and international press.

Sustainable Event Practices
The festival will follow eco-friendly protocols, including minimizing single-use items and prioritizing local, digital, and reusable resources.

Safety Protocols
Safety briefings and emergency procedures will be in place, along with access to medical support during the event.

Community Engagement
Participants are encouraged to voluntarily engage in workshops, talks, or interactive sessions with local youth and residents.

Ethical & Cultural Diversity Code
All participants agree to a declaration affirming cultural diversity, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Violations may result in sanctions.

🌐 Global Significance

Though modest in scale, IP-WIN 2025 represents Culture Masters’ bold first step toward building a World Intangible Heritage Network (WIN)—a long-term global initiative connecting heritage, sustainability, digital transformation, and cultural diplomacy. This inaugural event paves the way for PRE-WIN 2026 and WIN 2028, envisioned as larger-scale international gatherings.

In an era of identity crises, ecological imbalance, and social fragmentation, intangible heritage is not merely a relic of the past—it is a living language of resilience, solidarity, and renewal. IP-WIN 2025 invites the world to imagine a future where myth, memory, and artistic expression can shape a more harmonious and dignified global community.

🔗 Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities

We warmly invite public and private partners to join this visionary initiative:

Official Partners will receive prominent recognition, certificates, and visibility across IP-WIN’s platforms.

Contributions directly support international performances, cultural forums, and youth engagement programs.

Corporations aligned with ESG, CSR, or public diplomacy will gain international recognition for supporting cultural sustainability.

🌱 Your partnership builds a living bridge between the world’s ancestral traditions and the dreams of future generations.

📩 Contact for Sponsorship & Participation

Email: culturemasters.1@gmail.com

Website: www.culturemasters.org

T. +82 582 3350 M: +82 10 7114 9508

Program details are subject to adjustment based on final coordination.
© 2025 Culture Masters. All rights reserved.

🎥 Watch the promotional video for WIN 2025–2028