AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas

Mengpei Cheng; Antonio Fernández Vicente

doi:doi:10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas

Mengpei Cheng^*, Antonio Fernández Vicente

Published in Science Innovation (Volume 13, Issue 5)

Received: 8 September 2025 Accepted: 14 October 2025 Published: 29 October 2025

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Abstract

In the intertwined process of globalization and digitalization, folk intangible cultural heritage is undergoing a transformation—from the decline of traditional transmission methods to the innovation and reform of dissemination approaches. The recently emerged generative AI (AIGC) offers new pathways for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This paper takes two major festival-based intangible cultural heritages—the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and the Spanish Fallas Festival—as examples. From a cross-cultural comparative perspective, it applies ecological cultural theory and embeddedness theory to explain the technological applications and institutional adaptations of AIGC in different cultural contexts. Based on empirical evidence, it constructs a three-dimensional analytical framework of “technological application-institutional structure-cultural expression,” examining the similarities and differences between the two countries’ mechanisms in terms of protection entities, technological means, and cultural transmission. It is found that China’s protection mechanism features government leadership and social participation, with AIGC empowering digital archiving, immersive education, and cultural-creative content production. In contrast, the Fallas Festival relies on community participation and artistic associations, with AIGC supporting grassroots autonomy and Fallas-specific creativity. The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in Confucian cultural contexts, focusing on themes like disease prevention and patriotic narratives. Meanwhile, the Fallas Festival reflects a shared Spanish value of creativity, satire, and collective celebration. In both cases, AIGC is used to engage younger generations and expand public participation, highlighting both differences and overlaps in cross-cultural dissemination. This paper argues that AIGC is guiding folk intangible cultural heritage from a state of “static memory” to one of “intelligent expression.” In the next phase, leveraging shared digital resources, ICH metaverse systems, and algorithmic governance mechanisms can help construct a global, collaborative digital heritage ecosystem, thus enabling the sustainable cultural creation of intangible heritage.

Published in	Science Innovation (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
Page(s)	136-141
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

AIGC (Generative Artificial Intelligence), Folk Intangible Cultural Heritage, Cross-Cultural Comparison, Digital Protection Mechanism

References

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[2]	Zhao, G. (2024). Study on the Digital Inheritance and Development Strategy of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of AIGC. Transactions on Social Science Education and Humanities Research, 4, 138-142. https://doi.org/10.62051/2zk7gq70
[3]	Ghaith, K. (2024). AI integration in Cultural Heritage Conservation - Ethical considerations and the human Imperative. Deleted Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.62608/2831-3550.1022
[4]	Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations, 5th Edition. Simon and Schuster.
[5]	高丙中. (2004). 端午节的源流与意义. 民间文化论坛(5), 6.
[6]	萧放. (2009). 端午节俗的传统要素与当代意义. 民俗研究(4), 10.
[7]	Feo, I. R. (2020). Marketing turístico y fiestas locales: estudio de caso de Las Fallas de Valencia. Cuadernos De Turismo, 45, 363-380. https://doi.org/10.6018/turismo.426171
[8]	Liu, Z., & Chen, Z. (2024). Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC): a comparative study of attitudes and acceptance among global products. In Lecture notes in computer science (pp. 287-298). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60913-8_20
[9]	陈亮. (2011). 政府主导非物质文化遗产保护. (博士论文, 华南理工大学).
[10]	李荣启. (2016). 非物质文化遗产的传承及传承人保护现状. 美与时代：创意（上）(4), 6.
[11]	Rius-Ulldemolins, J., Gisbert, V., & Vera, C. (2020). Traditional festivities, political domination and social reproduction: Case analysis of Valencia’s Fallas. European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology, 8(1), 7-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/23254823.2020.1829497
[12]	Ghaith, K. (2024). AI integration in Cultural Heritage Conservation - Ethical considerations and the human Imperative. Deleted Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.62608/2831-3550.1022
[13]	Wang, W., Yang, G., & Liu, X. (2024). Reflections on AIGC Empowering the Development of Guizhou's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Journal of Social Science Humanities and Literature, 7(3), 38-41. https://doi.org/10.53469/jsshl.2024.07(03).06
[14]	熊琦. (2017). 人工智能生成内容的著作权认定. 知识产权(3), 6.
[15]	Chen, C., Li, Y., Wu, Z., Xu, M., Wang, R., & Zheng, Z. (2023). Towards reliable utilization of AIGC: blockchain-empowered ownership verification mechanism. IEEE Open Journal of the Computer Society, 4, 326-337. https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCS.2023.3315835
[16]	Hofstede, G. (1984). Culture’s consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. SAGE.

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APA Style

Cheng, M., Vicente, A. F. (2025). AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas. Science Innovation, 13(5), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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Cheng, M.; Vicente, A. F. AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas. Sci. Innov. 2025, 13(5), 136-141. doi: 10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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AMA Style

Cheng M, Vicente AF. AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas. Sci Innov. 2025;13(5):136-141. doi: 10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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@article{10.11648/j.si.20251305.14,
  author = {Mengpei Cheng and Antonio Fernández Vicente},
  title = {AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas
},
  journal = {Science Innovation},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {136-141},
  doi = {10.11648/j.si.20251305.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.si.20251305.14},
  abstract = {In the intertwined process of globalization and digitalization, folk intangible cultural heritage is undergoing a transformation—from the decline of traditional transmission methods to the innovation and reform of dissemination approaches. The recently emerged generative AI (AIGC) offers new pathways for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This paper takes two major festival-based intangible cultural heritages—the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and the Spanish Fallas Festival—as examples. From a cross-cultural comparative perspective, it applies ecological cultural theory and embeddedness theory to explain the technological applications and institutional adaptations of AIGC in different cultural contexts. Based on empirical evidence, it constructs a three-dimensional analytical framework of “technological application-institutional structure-cultural expression,” examining the similarities and differences between the two countries’ mechanisms in terms of protection entities, technological means, and cultural transmission. It is found that China’s protection mechanism features government leadership and social participation, with AIGC empowering digital archiving, immersive education, and cultural-creative content production. In contrast, the Fallas Festival relies on community participation and artistic associations, with AIGC supporting grassroots autonomy and Fallas-specific creativity. The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in Confucian cultural contexts, focusing on themes like disease prevention and patriotic narratives. Meanwhile, the Fallas Festival reflects a shared Spanish value of creativity, satire, and collective celebration. In both cases, AIGC is used to engage younger generations and expand public participation, highlighting both differences and overlaps in cross-cultural dissemination. This paper argues that AIGC is guiding folk intangible cultural heritage from a state of “static memory” to one of “intelligent expression.” In the next phase, leveraging shared digital resources, ICH metaverse systems, and algorithmic governance mechanisms can help construct a global, collaborative digital heritage ecosystem, thus enabling the sustainable cultural creation of intangible heritage.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas

AU  - Mengpei Cheng
AU  - Antonio Fernández Vicente
Y1  - 2025/10/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
T2  - Science Innovation
JF  - Science Innovation
JO  - Science Innovation
SP  - 136
EP  - 141
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-787X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
AB  - In the intertwined process of globalization and digitalization, folk intangible cultural heritage is undergoing a transformation—from the decline of traditional transmission methods to the innovation and reform of dissemination approaches. The recently emerged generative AI (AIGC) offers new pathways for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This paper takes two major festival-based intangible cultural heritages—the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and the Spanish Fallas Festival—as examples. From a cross-cultural comparative perspective, it applies ecological cultural theory and embeddedness theory to explain the technological applications and institutional adaptations of AIGC in different cultural contexts. Based on empirical evidence, it constructs a three-dimensional analytical framework of “technological application-institutional structure-cultural expression,” examining the similarities and differences between the two countries’ mechanisms in terms of protection entities, technological means, and cultural transmission. It is found that China’s protection mechanism features government leadership and social participation, with AIGC empowering digital archiving, immersive education, and cultural-creative content production. In contrast, the Fallas Festival relies on community participation and artistic associations, with AIGC supporting grassroots autonomy and Fallas-specific creativity. The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in Confucian cultural contexts, focusing on themes like disease prevention and patriotic narratives. Meanwhile, the Fallas Festival reflects a shared Spanish value of creativity, satire, and collective celebration. In both cases, AIGC is used to engage younger generations and expand public participation, highlighting both differences and overlaps in cross-cultural dissemination. This paper argues that AIGC is guiding folk intangible cultural heritage from a state of “static memory” to one of “intelligent expression.” In the next phase, leveraging shared digital resources, ICH metaverse systems, and algorithmic governance mechanisms can help construct a global, collaborative digital heritage ecosystem, thus enabling the sustainable cultural creation of intangible heritage.

VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Mengpei Cheng

Faculty of Communication, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain

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Antonio Fernández Vicente

Faculty of Communication, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain

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Cheng, M., Vicente, A. F. (2025). AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas. Science Innovation, 13(5), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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ACS Style

Cheng, M.; Vicente, A. F. AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas. Sci. Innov. 2025, 13(5), 136-141. doi: 10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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AMA Style

Cheng M, Vicente AF. AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas. Sci Innov. 2025;13(5):136-141. doi: 10.11648/j.si.20251305.14

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@article{10.11648/j.si.20251305.14,
  author = {Mengpei Cheng and Antonio Fernández Vicente},
  title = {AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas
},
  journal = {Science Innovation},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {136-141},
  doi = {10.11648/j.si.20251305.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.si.20251305.14},
  abstract = {In the intertwined process of globalization and digitalization, folk intangible cultural heritage is undergoing a transformation—from the decline of traditional transmission methods to the innovation and reform of dissemination approaches. The recently emerged generative AI (AIGC) offers new pathways for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This paper takes two major festival-based intangible cultural heritages—the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and the Spanish Fallas Festival—as examples. From a cross-cultural comparative perspective, it applies ecological cultural theory and embeddedness theory to explain the technological applications and institutional adaptations of AIGC in different cultural contexts. Based on empirical evidence, it constructs a three-dimensional analytical framework of “technological application-institutional structure-cultural expression,” examining the similarities and differences between the two countries’ mechanisms in terms of protection entities, technological means, and cultural transmission. It is found that China’s protection mechanism features government leadership and social participation, with AIGC empowering digital archiving, immersive education, and cultural-creative content production. In contrast, the Fallas Festival relies on community participation and artistic associations, with AIGC supporting grassroots autonomy and Fallas-specific creativity. The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in Confucian cultural contexts, focusing on themes like disease prevention and patriotic narratives. Meanwhile, the Fallas Festival reflects a shared Spanish value of creativity, satire, and collective celebration. In both cases, AIGC is used to engage younger generations and expand public participation, highlighting both differences and overlaps in cross-cultural dissemination. This paper argues that AIGC is guiding folk intangible cultural heritage from a state of “static memory” to one of “intelligent expression.” In the next phase, leveraging shared digital resources, ICH metaverse systems, and algorithmic governance mechanisms can help construct a global, collaborative digital heritage ecosystem, thus enabling the sustainable cultural creation of intangible heritage.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - AIGC and the Protection of Folk Intangible Heritage: A Comparative Study of the Dragon Boat Festival and Las Fallas

AU  - Mengpei Cheng
AU  - Antonio Fernández Vicente
Y1  - 2025/10/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
T2  - Science Innovation
JF  - Science Innovation
JO  - Science Innovation
SP  - 136
EP  - 141
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-787X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.si.20251305.14
AB  - In the intertwined process of globalization and digitalization, folk intangible cultural heritage is undergoing a transformation—from the decline of traditional transmission methods to the innovation and reform of dissemination approaches. The recently emerged generative AI (AIGC) offers new pathways for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This paper takes two major festival-based intangible cultural heritages—the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and the Spanish Fallas Festival—as examples. From a cross-cultural comparative perspective, it applies ecological cultural theory and embeddedness theory to explain the technological applications and institutional adaptations of AIGC in different cultural contexts. Based on empirical evidence, it constructs a three-dimensional analytical framework of “technological application-institutional structure-cultural expression,” examining the similarities and differences between the two countries’ mechanisms in terms of protection entities, technological means, and cultural transmission. It is found that China’s protection mechanism features government leadership and social participation, with AIGC empowering digital archiving, immersive education, and cultural-creative content production. In contrast, the Fallas Festival relies on community participation and artistic associations, with AIGC supporting grassroots autonomy and Fallas-specific creativity. The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in Confucian cultural contexts, focusing on themes like disease prevention and patriotic narratives. Meanwhile, the Fallas Festival reflects a shared Spanish value of creativity, satire, and collective celebration. In both cases, AIGC is used to engage younger generations and expand public participation, highlighting both differences and overlaps in cross-cultural dissemination. This paper argues that AIGC is guiding folk intangible cultural heritage from a state of “static memory” to one of “intelligent expression.” In the next phase, leveraging shared digital resources, ICH metaverse systems, and algorithmic governance mechanisms can help construct a global, collaborative digital heritage ecosystem, thus enabling the sustainable cultural creation of intangible heritage.

VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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