TRADITION AND INNOVATION

Tradition is not just something we inherit from the past; it is something we live, re-interpret, and practice every day. It shapes who we are as consumers and researchers, and at the same time, it evolves through our choices, practices, and ways of living.​

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When we look at modern consumer culture, tradition shows up in so many ways that feel close to us:

• Practices and rituals – whether it’s the familiarity of a tea ceremony, the rhythm of annual festivals, or the craft of artisanal making, these moments give us a sense of continuity and belonging.

• Symbols and narratives – the stories, images, and cultural touchstones that make products and experiences feel meaningful.

• Commodification and innovation – the way markets reinvent tradition, blending heritage with new tastes, technologies, and lifestyles.

• Resistance and revival – the ways communities return to tradition as a source of pride, empowerment, or identity, especially when asserting their place in the modern world.
   

This year’s theme, Tradition and Innovation, invites us to reflect together on how traditions not only endure but also spark creativity, renewal, and re-imagination in how we live and consume.

 

As the CCT Conference comes to Asia for the very first time, we celebrate an important new chapter for our community. Gathering in Kyoto—with its unique mix of centuries-old heritage and vibrant reinvention—offers us a rare opportunity to explore these ideas at the heart of one of the world’s great cultural capitals.

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​More than anything, this conference is an opportunity to connect, share perspectives, and ask: what do tradition and innovation mean for us, for our research, and for the futures we want to shape together as a community? 

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