On October 15, the Information Office of the Henan Provincial Government held a press conference to announce that the 13th Zhengzhou International Shaolin Martial Arts Festival will take place from October 17 to 22 in Zhengzhou. The event will feature 2,560 athletes from 56 countries and regions.
The Zhengzhou International Shaolin Martial Arts Festival aims to promote Shaolin culture and foster international exchanges and cooperation in martial arts. Since its inception in 1991, the festival has successfully held 12 editions, attracting over 40,000 athletes from more than 100 countries and regions.
This year’s festival is organized by the Henan Provincial Government and co-hosted by the Henan Provincial Sports Bureau and the Zhengzhou Municipal Government. It will follow a format of “two traditional activities + five innovative activities.” The traditional activities will include the Shaolin Martial Arts Competition and the evaluation of the Chinese Martial Arts ranking system for overseas participants. The innovative activities will feature a collective performance of Shaolin Kung Fu, the inaugural Kung Fu Zhengzhou International Fight Championship, a Sino-U.S. Youth Martial Arts Elite (Shaolin) Training Camp, a series of “Kung Fu Wonder Tour” activities, and “Cambodian Boxing Visits Shaolin Boxing.” Additionally, there will be cultural exchanges and observations of martial arts and cultural tourism projects.
At the press conference, Zhao Xuedong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Henan Provincial Government, shared that preparations for the festival are largely complete and highlighted several key features.
First, there is a focus on “internationalization.” As of now, 2,560 athletes from 56 countries and regions have registered for the event, which will include international martial arts exchanges with Cambodia and the U.S. Officials from international organizations such as the International Martial Arts Federation and the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, along with foreign diplomats and international guests, will also participate, showcasing Zhengzhou as a global hub for martial arts.
Second, the festival emphasizes “authority.” Martial arts are a precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, with Shaolin Kung Fu being one of the most representative schools. The festival believes in the principle of “friendship through martial arts, progressing together” and welcomes various schools of martial arts to participate beyond just Shaolin.
Third, the festival features a “fusion” of activities, including martial arts competitions, international ranking exams, fight championships, and cultural exchanges, all aimed at nurturing the martial arts industry and enhancing the cultural tourism chain. Various cultural tourism activities during the festival will seek to transform event momentum into urban energy.
Zhao Hengkang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhengzhou Municipal Government, discussed the event’s details and preparations, emphasizing that competitions are the heart of the festival. The schedule includes five units, six major categories, and 315 minor events, with participants ranging from 4 to 82 years old. The inaugural Kung Fu Zhengzhou Fight Championship and international martial arts cultural exchange activities will also take place. The opening ceremony of the festival will feature a 13-kilometer Kung Fu welcoming parade, starting from the Shaolin Temple in Songshan, involving 30,000 martial artists showcasing the historical spread of Shaolin martial arts.
This year’s opening ceremony and artistic performance will be hosted at a martial arts school for the first time. The theme will be “The Source of Martial Arts: Shaolin, Kung Fu in Zhengzhou,” divided into three chapters: “Opening the Mountain Gate: Inheriting Martial Traditions,” “Establishing Heaven and Earth: Harmonizing Global Sounds,” and “Gathering All Directions: Inviting All under Heaven to Share in the Martial Arts.”
