The 2023 Guilin Festival, a ten-day extravaganza celebrated in the scenic city of Guilin in South China’s Guangxi Province, recently concluded on a high note. The festival, known for its theme of coexistence, beautifully integrated art, theater, and the natural charm of the region, offering a diverse array of activities and performances.
Organized by the Guilin Municipal People’s Government and the Central Academy of Drama, the festival featured an impressive lineup of 140 activities and performances. These included plays, folk music, operas, and monologues in various languages, representing 14 countries and regions, showcasing the global appeal of the festival.
The heart of the festival was its theater performances, yet the 2023 edition went beyond traditional boundaries, creating an immersive experience for the audience. Highlights included the grand processions of the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the vibrant New Zealand Maori dance performances, which brought a dynamic energy to the festival.
Embracing Guilin’s stunning natural backdrop, over 80 percent of the performances were held outdoors. Unique venues like the “Mountain Theater,” “Water Theater,” “Cave Theater,” “Grass Theater,” and “Island Theater” were used, allowing nature to become an integral part of the theatrical experience. This setting inspired international artists, with Russian and German ensembles marveling at the picturesque landscape and integrating it into their performances.
Youth and innovation were central themes of this year’s festival, which included seven major sections encompassing drama performances, urban arts, academic forums, children’s programs, and more. The opening show, Camel Xiangzi, directed by He Nian of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, was a modern reinterpretation of a classic, inviting audiences to rediscover the timeless wisdom in literary masterpieces.
The festival also spotlighted emerging talents, particularly through productions from the “Global Chinese Youth Theatre Directors Talent Program.” Huang Ying’s new adaptation of Journey to the West (2023) and Zhao Miao’s physical theater piece Fearless Mother and Her Children were particularly noteworthy, earning international acclaim and awards.
Director Wang Xiaoying emphasized the importance of nurturing young theater professionals, suggesting that the future of theater lies in their hands. The Guilin Festival’s focus on young talent infuses the event with a fresh, dynamic energy, carrying forward the cultural legacy of Chinese artistry.
In August, the Guilin Festival expanded its international presence by hosting a press conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, marking its first major promotional event outside of China. The festival has garnered significant media attention, with over 200 domestic and international media outlets covering the event. On social media platforms like Sina Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Meitu Xiuxiu, festival-related topics have been viewed over 900 million times.
Hao Rong, director of the Festival Organizing Committee and president of the Central Academy of Drama, highlighted the Guilin Festival’s significance. He noted that it’s not only a response to the historical context but also an inheritance of traditional literary and artistic spirit, reflecting the development of literature and art in the new era. The festival aims to be a ‘Chinese-style art festival,’ promoting diversity, mutual learning, and inclusive public benefit, grounded in Chinese cultural subjectivity.
The 2023 Guilin Festival, with its blend of international performances and stunning natural settings, stands as a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the enduring appeal of traditional and contemporary art forms.
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