On October 19th, the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival International Performing Arts Conference opened with a project signing ceremony at the Qiantan 31 Performing Arts Center in Shanghai. Representatives from various international and domestic art institutions, artists, and agencies came together to sign 13 project cooperation agreements.
As one of the most influential cultural platforms in the Asia-Pacific region, this year’s International Performing Arts Conference has garnered significant attention from global art institutions, drawing over 500 professional organizations and more than 2,000 industry guests to Shanghai. The event aims to illuminate the future with the light of art and foster a collective vision among participants.
During the signing ceremony, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival Center entered into a memorandum of cooperation with the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), establishing a comprehensive partnership focused on international performing arts resources and creating a new platform for global artistic exchange. They also signed agreements with the Chopin International Piano Competition Committee to launch a series of events, including “Chopin in Shanghai: Champion’s Premiere,” aimed at enhancing collaboration in arts education and talent exchange. Additionally, agreements were made with domestic arts institutions, performing troupes, and cultural tourism real estate companies to develop youth talent training, cultural tourism projects, and new performing arts spaces.
The Shanghai International Arts Festival platform also facilitated collaborations with various international institutions, including the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, the Hong Kong Ballet, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, and the British classical agency Harrison Parrott. Notable projects signed included the Stuttgart Ballet’s performance of the grand dance drama “Brahms’ Requiem” and a solo concert by Russian soprano Anna Netrebko in Shanghai.
This year’s conference further invigorated the global performing arts market through innovative project presentations and professional seminars, creating opportunities for collaboration between domestic and international performing arts organizations. Among the featured projects, a Franco-Chinese co-created stage adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic sci-fi novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” adds an Eastern flair to the underwater world, while the Dutch dance theater ISH’s “Free Style” brilliantly combines parkour, BMX biking, and other sports to offer a fresh perspective on urban art.
Jan Brière, President of the European Festivals Association (EFA), remarked, “The EFA first participated in the China Shanghai International Arts Festival nearly 20 years ago. Our previous president recognized the importance of connecting with Asian festivals early on, believing that art can promote peace, inclusivity, and progress.” He emphasized that international cooperation and exchange in the arts enrich cultural diversity and are vital for the socio-economic development of today’s world.
