On October 17, the 2025 Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Week and Foshan Qiuse Festival officially kicked off in Foshan, marking the start of a vibrant celebration of traditional culture and artistic exchange.

The event builds on the international influence of the 13th China International Folk Arts Festival. It brings together international art troupes and deeply integrates the essence of Lingnan Qiuse culture with international artistic elements.

The celebration features core activities and a series of cultural events. The core activities include the Foshan Qiuse Parade, Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, Autumn Ritual at the Foshan Ancestral Temple, and the Traditional Village Banquet Ceremony.

Autumn Ritual at the Foshan Ancestral Temple

The supporting events feature the Foshan Contemporary Ceramic Art Invitational Exhibition, special theatre performances, the Qiuse Business District Alliance, and the Foshan Qiuse Cultural Achievements Exhibition.

The Qiuse Parade, a highlight of Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Week, lit up the city on the evening of October 17. Around 7:30 p.m., the Foshan Ancestral Temple Archway Square was illuminated with dazzling lights and the rhythmic sound of drums. The opening performance, Lion Dance Celebrating Lingnan, set an electrifying tone for the night with its powerful beats and majestic lion dance.

On the evening, the procession, including 55 performing groups and 20 floats, moved north along a 3.3-kilometer route, greeted by cheering crowds lining both sides of the streets.

Over the course of nearly two and a half hours, six thematic sections were presented in succession. The parade featured not only traditional folk art performances from Foshan but also showcased intangible cultural heritage from across Guangdong Province. In addition, 13 international troupes participating in the 13th China International Folk Arts Festival brought a diverse array of distinctive music and dance performances. This event offered residents and visitors an immersive festive experience blending tradition and modernity, where Lingnan culture resonated with the world.

As a large-scale folk cultural event themed around celebrating the harvest, Foshan Qiuse boasts a history of about 600 years and is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item. This year, the Qiuse Parade will continue on the evening of October 18 in Xiqiao Town, Nanhai District. The procession will begin at Tingyin Lake Square and conclude at the Paifang Archway on Dengshan Avenue, covering a distance of approximately 3.3 kilometers.

Reporter | Zoey

Reviser | Lynn, Luo Jing

Source | Foshan Release, Foshan News and Media Center, Zhou Chun, Wang Shu, Fu Shihe

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