Shanghai to showcase monthlong feast of the arts

The National Theatre Brno from the Czech Republic will present the opera The Makropulos Case and a contemporary dance piece Black and White at the upcoming China Shanghai International Arts Festival. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The National Theatre Brno is going to perform Black and White, a contemporary interpretation of the classical ballet Swan Lake. While the L.A. Dance Project, which was founded in 2012 by choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied, will perform three pieces in one show - Hearts & Arrows, On the Other Side and Closer.

Besides indoor cultural events, the festival will also stage shows, forums and workshops in public spaces in Shanghai, hoping to bring people closer to the arts.

The Art Space project will witness over 90 shows staged around 16 districts in Shanghai, including operas, symphonies, dances and dramas, all of which are free to the public.

And every year, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival's Young Talents Program offers a platform for the youth. This year, nine commissioned productions, including the Kunqu Opera piece Snow of Chang'an, and the Sichuan Opera production Nie Xiaoqian and Ning Caichen, will be staged.

In addition, 10 exhibitions will be held during the festival, including Sound and Image, an exhibition dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven, and The Beautiful Homeland-Mentors as well as Friends: The 7th Annual Shanghai Artists Exhibition.

This year's festival will also highlight China's Belt and Road Initiative, with themed forums and interactive programs.

According to Zhai Deyu, deputy director-general of the external cultural relations bureau of the Ministry of Culture, the annual festival, which was launched by the ministry in 1999, has grown into a significant platform for cultural exchanges and is now one of the leading arts festivals in the world.

"In a month, we have about 350 activities, which means that more than 10 activities are happening every day. It's estimated that about 4 million people join in the festival on a daily basis," says Wang.

The festival closes on Nov 19 with a performance of The Makropulos Case by Janacek Opera of the Czech Republic's National Theater Brno.