“Flows of Hope: Living Heritage, Aesthetic Education and Community Futures in the Age of AI” is an international cultural and educational initiative organised by Hecho por Nosotros (HxN) in support of the 2026 International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Drawing on its long-standing engagement with artisan communities, HxN works to strengthen the recognition, transmission and sustainable development of craft knowledge through intercultural dialogue, education and community-based collaboration. The initiative is grounded in the belief that artisans and communities are not merely custodians of the past, but active holders and creators of cultural knowledge whose experiences continue to shape future possibilities.

The project explores how living heritage, craft knowledge and community practices can support cultural creativity, dignity and intergenerational transmission in an age of rapid technological transformation. As artificial intelligence increasingly influences cultural production through image generation, pattern reproduction and digital transformation, the initiative asks how we can recognise, protect and value the human knowledge, embodied experience and social relationships embedded in traditional craftsmanship.

The project understands intangible cultural heritage as a living system of knowledge formed through everyday practices, connecting people, materials, places, memories and relationships.

A central practice-based case is Jingxiu embroidery in Zhengding County, Hebei Province, China, a region recognised as one of the historical origins of Jingxiu embroidery. Rooted in local histories of craftsmanship, Jingxiu developed as an important tradition within Chinese court embroidery, contributing to the creation of refined imperial textiles and embroidered objects. Beyond its historical association with court culture, Jingxiu has been sustained through generations of craftspeople whose skills, aesthetic judgement and understanding of materials have been transmitted through families, apprenticeships and community learning.

Today, Jingxiu embroidery continues not only as a craft technique, but also as part of community life, connecting artisans, families, education, local identity and cultural memory. The project will create opportunities for artisans to share their own experiences, stories and knowledge, recognising their voices as essential to safeguarding living heritage.

Through craft workshops, collaborative creation, ethical documentation training and public presentations, community members, artisans, young people and students will participate as knowledge holders and co-creators. Young participants will engage not only with craft techniques, but also with the histories, values and relationships embedded within these practices.

Through HxN’s international network and engagement with artisan communities in Latin America, the project will establish a reciprocal dialogue between Chinese and Latin American craft communities. It will explore shared experiences of embroidery and textile practices as living knowledge connected with identity, memory, women’s contributions, ecological relationships and collective histories.

The programme will include an international thematic roundtable, a China–Latin America community dialogue, community-based aesthetic education activities, audiovisual presentations and discussions on cultural rights and ethical documentation in the digital age.

By strengthening community participation, intergenerational transmission and responsible digital practices, Flows of Hope contributes to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and demonstrates how craft knowledge can support inclusive, creative and sustainable futures in the age of AI.

Programme

Flows of Hope: Living Heritage, Aesthetic Education and Community Futures in the Age of AI

A month-long programme of activities throughout October 2026, centred around the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on 17 October 2026.

Phase 1. Community Preparation and Knowledge Sharing

Early October 2026

The first phase will focus on building connections with artisans, students, educators and community members.

Activities will include:

* Engaging with artisans, students, educators and local community members to understand their experiences and expectations;

• Introducing the history and local significance of Jingxiu embroidery in Zhengding County, Hebei Province;
• Organising community-based workshops to explore craft knowledge, materials, memories and everyday practices;

Phase 2. International Roundtable

Living Heritage and Human Creativity in the Age of AI

Mid-October 2026

The roundtable will explore how traditional knowledge and craftsmanship can contribute to cultural futures in a rapidly changing technological environment.

Key discussion areas will include:

* The role of living heritage in contemporary community life;

• The relationship between human creativity, embodied knowledge and artificial intelligence;
• Cultural rights and ethical approaches to documenting and sharing heritage in the digital age;

Participants may include:

* Artisans and craft practitioners;

• Researchers and scholars;
• Educators;
• Designers and artists;

Phase 3. China–Latin America Community Dialogue

Around 17 October 2026

This dialogue will bring together artisan communities from China and Latin America to exchange experiences and explore shared challenges and opportunities.

The discussion will focus on:

* Embroidery and textile traditions as living forms of knowledge;

• Ways of transmitting craft practices across generations;
• The contributions of women to community-based craft traditions;
• Sustainable livelihoods and responsible cultural exchange;

Phase 4. Community Aesthetic Education and Youth Engagement Activities

October 2026

These activities will create opportunities for young people and students to engage directly with artisans and craft practices.

Activities may include:

* Craft workshops involving artisans, young people and students;

• Collaborative creation between communities and educational institutions;
• Training for young participants on ethical documentation of intangible cultural heritage;

Phase 5. Audiovisual Presentation and Public Display

Late October 2026

The public presentation will share community experiences and creative outcomes from the programme.

It may include:

* Stories and experiences shared by artisans;

• Documentation of Jingxiu embroidery practices and textile traditions;
• Materials from Chinese and Latin American craft communities;

Phase 6. Reflection and Future Collaboration

The final phase will focus on reviewing the outcomes of the month-long programme and exploring future possibilities.

Activities will include:

* Sharing reflections and outcomes from the activities;

• Discussing future cooperation in living heritage, aesthetic education, youth engagement and community development;

“Flows of Hope: Living Heritage, Aesthetic Education and Community Futures in the Age of AI” is being developed as a multi-institutional initiative coordinated by Hecho por Nosotros (HxN). The programme includes activities taking place in both Argentina and China, in collaboration with the following academic institutions in China:

1. Central Academy of Fine Arts, China


2. Hebei Academy of Fine Arts, China


3. Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, China

Text as provided by the organiser(s).