This morning, the Shanghai Municipal Government Information Office held a press conference for the 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival. Officials introduced the overall arrangements for the festival.

The 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, will be held from October 17 to November 27. Upholding the principle of being «a grand event for art and a festival for the people,» the festival will feature over 500 performances and exhibitions across eight major sections, totaling more than 1,200 events. These sections include stage performances, international dialogues, international performing arts conferences, public benefit activities, art education, youth support programs, city linkage events, and integration and innovation activities. With a high proportion of Shanghai premieres and participation from renowned groups, the festival has established itself among the world’s top-tier art festivals.

I. Gathering Global Excellence, Building a World Stage for Cultural Exchange

This year’s festival further connects with global high-quality performing arts resources, showcasing top international artistic works in Shanghai.

First, creating a new highland for global performing arts. Of the 55 main stage performances (129 shows), about 60% are international projects, with over 90% being Shanghai premieres. The opening and closing performances will follow the «one Chinese, one international» model, featuring the Kunqu opera series «Taihe Zhengyin – Palace Kunqu Collection (Season One)» and a concert by Daniel Harding and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra. World-renowned groups such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, and Berliner Ensemble will gather in Shanghai, with special series and exclusive Shanghai performances highlighting the city’s core competitiveness as Asia’s performing arts hub.

Second, showcasing new trends in Chinese artistic creation. The festival will feature five major plays from Shaanxi People’s Art Theatre’s Shanghai residency, Shanghai-produced works including the final season of the stage play «Blossoms» and the concert «Poetic China,» as well as original works like the national opera «Tongxin Jie» and the dance drama «Wang Yangming.» These works, rooted in traditional Chinese culture or inspired by contemporary life, demonstrate the vitality of Eastern culture through innovative expression.

Third, fostering a new ecosystem for international institutional exchange. The International Performing Arts Conference will host 7 performance showcases and 5 city exploration activities, while the International Dialogue section will feature 10 professional discussions. The 5th Annual Conference of the Silk Road International Arts Festival Alliance will also be held. The events are expected to attract about 500 professional institutions and 2,000 industry representatives worldwide, demonstrating the festival’s authoritative influence in the global industry.

II. Serving the People’s City, Building a Public Platform for Citywide Cultural Engagement

This year’s festival implements the «People’s City» concept, spreading high-quality performing arts resources to create an «artistic magnetic field» throughout the city and beyond.

First, designing a new menu for public cultural supply. The «Art Sky» public benefit activities will present 60 programs with over 90 events in Shanghai’s major public spaces, featuring nearly 2,000 artists from more than 30 countries and regions. Themed around «Red Culture,» «Belt and Road,» «China-Italy Relations,» and «Digital Youth,» these activities will highlight regional cultural characteristics and enhance public access to artistic life.

Second, drawing a new blueprint for shared social aesthetics education. The art education section will organize 33 programs with over 80 events, targeting all age groups. Brand activities like «Student Theater and Exhibition Groups,» «Art in Schools,» and «Youth Performance Showcases» will integrate resources, cultivate talent, and promote international exchange, building an upgraded high-quality aesthetics education platform combining exhibition, evaluation, and education.

Third, expanding new realms for cultural consumption benefits. This year’s festival will release over 6,000 half-price public benefit tickets to lower participation barriers and enhance public cultural engagement. All main stage performances available for ticket purchase are eligible for use with the second round of the «Enjoy Shanghai» cultural consumption vouchers.

III. Decoding «Why Shanghai,» Exploring an Innovative Platform for Integrated Cultural Tourism

This year’s festival explores «art+» integration across content, scenarios, and experiences, attracting diverse audiences to Shanghai.

First, constructing new dimensions for art-driven urban innovation. The «Rising Artists Fund» will present 9 stage and visual art works, including a new technology integration category showcasing young artists’ cutting-edge explorations. «ARTRA» focuses on technological innovation with 3 cross-border integrated works. Additionally, the professional performance section will feature the Shanghai International Magic Week, Shanghai International Puppet Art Week,

China Shanghai International Arts Festival

The China Shanghai International Arts Festival is a major annual cultural event established in 1999. It serves as a prestigious international platform, showcasing a diverse program of performing arts from China and around the world. The festival aims to foster cultural exchange and has become a significant highlight in the global arts calendar.

Taihe Zhengyin – Palace Kunqu Collection

«Taihe Zhengyin – Palace Kunqu Collection» is a cultural project dedicated to preserving and performing the traditional Kunqu opera repertoire that was historically performed in the Qing Dynasty imperial court. It revives the refined and elegant «Northern Kunqu» style, which was patronized by the emperors within the Forbidden City. The collection represents a living heritage of this UNESCO-recognized art form, showcasing its historical significance as China’s oldest extant form of opera.

Santa Cecilia Orchestra

The Santa Cecilia Orchestra is a professional ensemble based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2003 by conductor and artistic director Sonia Marie De León de Vega. It is distinguished as the first all-female orchestra in the United States founded by a woman, created to provide opportunities for female musicians and to bring classical music to diverse communities. The orchestra is named after Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music.

Vienna Philharmonic

The Vienna Philharmonic is one of the world’s leading orchestras, founded in 1842 and based in the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, Austria. It is renowned for its distinctive warm sound and is most famous for its annual New Year’s Concert, a tradition that began in 1939 and broadcasts its performances of waltzes and polkas by the Strauss family to a global audience.

Dresden Staatskapelle

The Dresden Staatskapelle is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned orchestras, founded in 1548 by Elector Moritz of Saxony. It has a distinguished history of premiering works by masters such as Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, who dedicated several of his tone poems to the ensemble. Based in the Semperoper opera house, the orchestra is celebrated for its rich, warm sound and deep musical tradition.

Berliner Ensemble

The Berliner Ensemble is a world-renowned German theatre company founded in 1949 by playwright Bertolt Brecht and his wife, actress Helene Weigel. It was established in East Berlin to perform Brecht’s own epic theatre works, becoming a flagship institution for his influential theatrical style. The company continues to operate from the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm, a historic venue where Brecht’s «The Threepenny Opera» premiered in 1928.

Blossoms

«Blossoms» is a historic department store in Chester, England, which first opened its doors in 1881. It was founded by George Henry Bowring and quickly became a city landmark, known for its elegant architecture and high-quality goods. Today, it continues to operate as a prominent retail destination, maintaining its traditional charm while housing modern brands.

Poetic China

«Poetic China» is not a specific physical location but a cultural concept that evokes the profound influence of poetry on Chinese civilization. This tradition, spanning over 3,000 years from the ancient *Classic of Poetry* (*Shijing*) to the masterpieces of the Tang and Song dynasties, has shaped the nation’s aesthetic ideals and philosophical outlook. It refers to the way poetry is woven into the very fabric of Chinese identity, expressed through its classical gardens, landscape paintings, and the enduring appreciation for lyrical beauty in nature and human emotion.