ICHCAP

ICHCAP strives to document and widely promote intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in the Asia-Pacific region through its ICH video production project. The initiative aims to produce and disseminate documentary-style videos that capture diverse elements of ICH—such as traditional craftsmanship, performing arts, oral traditions, and rituals—through collaboration with local communities and relevant institutions. As of 2025, ICHCAP has produced a total of 160 ICH videos: 50 from Central Asia, 70 from Southeast Asia, and 40 from South Asia. The project is currently being expanded to include one additional South Asian country and countries in the Pacific region. The completed videos are shared both locally and internationally through the Centre’s YouTube channel, international film festivals, and educational institutions, contributing to greater visibility and awareness of intangible cultural heritage.

ICHCAP has published a quarterly magazine, the ICH Courier, since 2009 to disseminate information and news about safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in the Asia-Pacific region. The ICH Courier presents intangible cultural heritage assets in the forty-eight Member States of the Asia-Pacific region to worldwide readers. It also shares stories about safeguarding efforts of the intangible cultural heritage of communities with readers around the world. You can explore the previous volumes of the ICH Courier on the ICH Courier Online website for free. In addition, ICHCAP publishes the ICH Plus+ (e-newsletter) online once per month. ICH Plus+ (e-newsletter) is to deliver timely and up-to-date ICH-related news to subscribers. If you are interested in subscriptions to ICH Courier and ICH Plus+ (e-newsletter), please visit the website below.

ICHCAP plans and publishes a variety of books to promote the safeguarding and awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in the Asia-Pacific region. Covering topics such as ICH elements, national inventories, and policy documents, the publications are based on annually selected themes that highlight the value of ICH and related safeguarding efforts. These books serve as valuable resources for readers both in the region and around the world to deepen their understanding of ICH.

"Google Arts & Culture" offers online exhibitions featuring high-resolution photos and videos, providing an immersive experience of intangible cultural heritage that feels almost tangible. Through this platform, you can embark on virtual journeys to explore the richness of intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, you can engage with various theme-based contents like "ICH Journey" and "ICH Story," allowing you to travel to unfamiliar places, meet new people, and discover captivating stories related to intangible cultural heritage. This platform offers a unique way to connect with and learn about the diverse and fascinating world of intangible cultural heritage.

Today, we live in a digital age where a simple touch can instantly bring the past and its memories to life. Yet, the rapid transformation of recording media driven by technological advancement has often relegated valuable records of earlier times to mere relics of the past. ICH-related records are no exception. Many analog materials, unable to keep pace with these changes, are now at serious risk of deterioration due to aging. To address this, ICHCAP has implemented various digitization initiatives—starting with assessing the current condition of analogue audiovisual materials related to ICH, and extending to their digital restoration, preservation, utilization, and the dissemination of related information.