The Opening Ceremony of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention in India
Jan 29, 2026
Culture Masters | Seoul | Cultural and International Exchange
A new journey toward the future of the world’s intangible cultural heritage begins in Bangalore, India.
Introduction
PRE-WIN 2026 India is an international pilot cultural event leading up to the WIN Grand Festival 2028, the pinnacle event of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (WIN). The event marks the starting point of a global cultural journey, beginning in Bangalore, India.
This event holds special significance as it goes beyond a one-off performance and represents the first implementation of a “multi-city circular global cultural model”, which will expand from India to Suwon, Korea, and then to other cities around the world.
Tradition Is Not Memory, but Life in Motion
“Tradition is not memory, but life in motion.”
PRE-WIN 2026 India brings living intangible cultural heritage to the stage. Through a refined, high-quality program that combines traditional performances, storytelling, artist talks, and cultural networking, the event demonstrates that tradition is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing experience.
This pilot competition will also promote the creation of a repertoire centered on works from each country that are either UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage or possess comparable cultural value. In particular, PRE-WIN and WIN will continue to maintain a core focus on introducing and highlighting UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage.
This approach goes beyond a simple list of performances and brings the discourse on intangible cultural heritage to life, fostering international credibility and meaningful cultural exchange.
The Possibility of Performing National Repertoires on the UNESCO Stage
The PRE-WIN 2026 India initiative is actively exploring the possibility of showcasing works representing UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage from specific countries, either through solo performances or multi-partner collaborations.
For example, this structure could allow works from Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, to be showcased on international stages—either as UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage or works with comparable cultural significance.
This demonstrates that PRE-WIN is not a simple invitation-based performance, but a pilot platform that verifies the representativeness, identity, and international communication potential of each country’s intangible cultural heritage.
A Cooperative Structure That Enhances International Trust
The event is co-hosted by Culture Masters and the International Coalition of Intangible Cultural Cities (ICCN). It is organized with strong international cooperation and institutional support, reinforcing trust, credibility, and cultural authenticity.
Starting from India, to Korea and the World
The pilot event is expected to involve diverse cultural groups from India and South Korea, as well as Nepal, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia.
This initiative will not only validate the potential of the global PRE-WIN cyclical model starting in India, but also serve as the foundation for gradual expansion toward PRE-WIN Suwon, the Korea Multi-City Program, and ultimately the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Grand Festival (WIN Grand Festival 2028).
Philosophy That Touches Arirang Masters
PRE-WIN 2026 India is deeply aligned with the philosophy of the Arirang Master Award, launched in 2023. Arirang Masters is a UNESCO-compliant international platform for the certification and recognition of intangible cultural heritage practitioners.
The platform is expected to expand into special showcases for selected masters at future PRE-WIN and WIN events, marking a reinterpretation of the Korean spirit of Arirang within the global discourse on intangible cultural heritage.
Sponsorship Goes Beyond Participation to “Co-Design”
Sponsorship of this event goes beyond mere brand exposure. As early partners of the global intangible cultural heritage platform, sponsors of PRE-WIN 2026 India will have priority opportunities for collaboration and joint planning, including PRE-WIN Suwon, the Korean Multi-City Program, and the WIN Grand Festival 2028.
Furthermore, the platform supports the realisation of CSR and ESG values, promoting cultural diversity and sustainability.
The Starting Point of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Journey
PRE-WIN 2026 India is not a single event. It is the first coordinate of a global intangible cultural heritage journey that begins in India and expands to Korea and the world.
At the moment when traditions are brought to life in the present, choosing to participate means becoming a partner in designing the future of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Grand Festival 2028.
It remains to be seen what repercussions this first prelude, sounding in Bangalore, will leave on the global cultural landscape.