On the afternoon of April 18, the “Intangible Cultural Heritage Talent Exchange and Mutual Learning” event between Shandong University of Finance and Economics (SDUFE) and Shanghe County, along with the unveiling ceremony of the SDUFE International Education School Practice Base for Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture, was successfully held. Attendees included over 50 faculty and student representatives from SDUFE.

　　At Mengzi Academy, participants enjoyed a live performance of the Shanghe Drum Yangko, a national-level intangible cultural heritage. The resounding drumbeats, vibrant parasols, and energetic dance movements quickly captivated the students and faculty. International students eagerly joined the performance, learning dance steps from cultural inheritors and engaging in interactive exchanges. Attendees also explored the rich traditions of Mengzi Academy, immersing themselves in the unique charm of classical Chinese culture.

　　At Mengliyue Hot Spring Homestay, participants witnessed how traditional rural residences harmoniously blend with modern lifestyles, showcasing a new vision of rural revitalization. At the Science and Innovation Center, a guide introduced the development of the local hot spring flower industry, highlighting how modern technology is revitalizing agrarian culture with new possibilities.

　　During a symposium, attendees watched the promotional video With You, Shanghe Shines and the cultural documentary Beat of the Drum Yangko, gaining a deeper understanding of Shanghe’s talent-friendly environment and the evolution, styles, and significance of the Shanghe Drum Yangko.

　　SDUFE’s International Education School signed a cooperation agreement with Shanghe County and jointly unveiled the SDUFE International Education School Practice Base for Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture. The base will serve as a platform for promoting intangible cultural heritage, international student research programs, and the development of cultural and creative industries. Together, they aim to bring Shanghe’s intangible heritage from rural fields to the global stage and enable traditional Chinese culture to shine through international exchange.

In recent years, Shanghe County has prioritized talent exchange and mutual learning around intangible cultural heritage. Centered on cultural inheritance, the county has strengthened efforts to build a standardized inheritor recognition system and established a talent pool for the Drum Yangko, laying a solid foundation for heritage transmission. Shanghe has actively sent inheritors to schools and research activities to ensure generational continuity.

On the international front, Shanghe has expanded its communication channels—featuring in The Oxford Mail, Cambridge Magazine, Le Figaro, and Libération—and has showcased promotional films of the Drum Yangko on New York’s Times Square screens in continuous loops. Through a dual approach of “going global” via performances and exhibitions and “bringing in” academic collaborations, the Shanghe Drum Yangko has gradually stepped onto the world stage, reaching countries including South Korea, Japan, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia, and establishing joint research bases with more than 20 universities.

　　This event exemplifies how talent exchange can transcend regional boundaries and allow Yellow River cultural heritage to merge with modern innovation. It has infused intangible heritage projects with fresh vitality, promoted their academic, market, and international development, and played a vital role in enhancing local cultural confidence, fostering successors, and contributing to rural revitalization. Shanghe’s intangible cultural heritage has become a model of integration between cultural value and social-economic benefits—an emblematic representation of both Qilu culture and broader Chinese civilization.