Core Perspective - The adaptation of Yu Hua's short story "Classical Love" into a stage play by Meng Jinghui represents their third collaboration, following "To Live" and "The Seventh Day," highlighting the theme of personal fate amidst the backdrop of a grand era [1][3]. Summary by Sections Adaptation and Performance - "Classical Love" premiered at the 2025 Anaya Theatre Festival, with tickets selling out quickly and the opening delayed due to long entry lines [3]. - The stage design features modern elements, creating an abstract maze-like environment, while the music blends electronic and classical styles to enhance the emotional depth of the narrative [3][7]. - The play will return to Beijing's Hive Theatre from August 6 to 10, continuing to explore reality through its performances [3]. Author's Reflection - Yu Hua reminisces about his writing process for "Classical Love," noting that it was a parody of popular literary forms of the time, diverging from traditional narratives to explore unexpected outcomes [5][8]. - The story revolves around the tragic love between Liu Sheng and Miss Hui, culminating in themes of despair and the futility of hope, reflecting contemporary human experiences [5][7]. Thematic Exploration - The adaptation intertwines elements from Yu Hua's other work "Blood Plum Blossom," creating a narrative that traverses time and space, while presenting a postmodern sense of nihilism [7]. - The play's emotional impact is evident, as audience reactions include expressions of sorrow and despair, indicating its resonance with modern societal issues [7]. Artistic Philosophy - Both Yu Hua and Meng Jinghui are recognized as avant-garde figures in the cultural sphere, with Meng emphasizing that the essence of avant-garde lies in its posture rather than its outcomes [9]. - Yu Hua believes that the core of a literary or theatrical work is its treatment of time, which serves as the soul of the narrative [10]. Contemporary Relevance - The themes of "Classical Love" resonate with the feelings of disillusionment and existential angst prevalent among today's youth, reflecting a broader societal malaise [11]. - Yu Hua's philosophy on life emphasizes endurance and acceptance of fate, suggesting that the strength of existence lies in resilience rather than aggression [11].

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Anaya Drama Festival, held in Qinhuangdao, Hebei, showcased 29 invited works from 12 countries under the theme of "Emotion and Reason," aiming to present contemporary international theatrical aesthetics [1] Group 1: Festival Overview - The festival lasted for 11 days and featured a diverse range of performances from countries including China, France, the UK, Germany, and others [1] - The festival's artistic director, Meng Jinghui, emphasized the four main sections: "Dramatic Art," "Cross-Border Art," "Life Art," and "Public Art," which included eight categories of drama [2] Group 2: Featured Performances - The international opening play, "Don Juan," by the French Northern Theatre, involved actors performing around a giant statue, interpreting Molière's classic work [4] - The domestic opening play, "Classical Love," directed by Meng Jinghui, utilized "anti-classical" performance techniques to portray a postmodern love story based on Yu Hua's writing [4] - The closing performance, "May B," by French choreographer Maguy Marin, drew inspiration from Beckett's works, exploring the joys and sorrows of life through rich movement [6] - Another closing play, "Thank You Thank You," by the Belgian OG Theatre, examined the essence of life through perspective shifts [6] Group 3: Additional Activities - The festival also included the "Migratory Birds 300" comprehensive art exhibition, environmental drama readings, drama workshops, film screenings, dialogues, installation art exhibitions, and parades, showcasing cross-border artistic activities [10]

Core Insights - The Anaya Theatre Festival in Qinhuangdao, Hebei, features performances from artistic teams across 12 countries, including China, France, and the UK, creating a diverse cultural experience for attendees [1][3]. Performance Highlights - The festival opened with the French Northern Theatre's production of "Don Juan," showcasing modern interpretations of classical works through dynamic staging and immersive interactions [3]. - A significant feature of this year's festival is the extension of performances beyond traditional venues to natural settings like beaches and open squares, enhancing the emotional impact of the plays [5]. Event Structure and Variety - The festival includes 94 performances across 15 unique theatre spaces, covering various forms such as absurd theatre and physical theatre. Notable productions include "Classical Love," adapted from Yu Hua's novel, and a sci-fi musical "Romeo and Juliet in the Land of Feathers" [7]. - Additional cross-disciplinary activities like "Migratory Birds 300" and installation art expand the festival's artistic expression [7]. Economic Impact and Visitor Engagement - The 2025 Anaya Theatre Festival has attracted a large number of tourists and art enthusiasts, creating a multifaceted consumption environment that integrates culture, shopping, and leisure [8]. - Visitor engagement is high, with one attendee purchasing 10 tickets for a total of approximately 3,000 yuan, highlighting the willingness to invest in both performances and artistic experiences [8]. - The Anaya community has improved its dining, market, and cultural space offerings, resulting in a 50% increase in overall foot traffic during the festival [9]. - Data indicates a 20% year-on-year increase in bookings for Anaya accommodations during the festival, with a notable demographic of women aged 25 to 35 [9]. Attendance and Spending - The average daily attendance at the Anaya park during the festival exceeds 30,000, with total foot traffic surpassing 200,000 over the 11-day event. The average spending per visitor is reported to be over 800 yuan [10].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the establishment of Meng Jinghui's theater studio in Hangzhou's Binjiang District, marking a significant expansion of his theatrical influence beyond Beijing [1][2] - Meng Jinghui's latest work, "Classical Love," premiered at the 2025 Anaya Theater Festival, showcasing a collaboration with writer Yu Hua, and represents a modern reinterpretation of love through a postmodern lens [2] - The studio aims to serve as a bridge between avant-garde art and the public, promoting a series of classic and original works while utilizing the cultural space "Dianhun Zizai Li" for regular theatrical activities [1] Group 2 - "Classical Love" incorporates innovative technology, such as real-time dynamic capture interactive devices, aligning with Binjiang District's emphasis on technological innovation [2] - The successful premiere of "Classical Love" at the Anaya Theater Festival sets the stage for its upcoming performances in Hangzhou on July 26 and 27, inviting local audiences to engage with the redefined concept of love [2]

Core Points - The 2025 Anaya Drama Festival will take place from June 19 to June 29, transforming various non-theatrical spaces into performance venues, aiming to create a sense of "theater everywhere" [1][4] - This year's theme is "Emotion and Reason," featuring 16 international works from 13 countries and regions, alongside 13 contemporary domestic productions, totaling 94 performances across 15 theater spaces [3][4] - The festival will showcase a variety of theatrical forms, including absurd theater, physical theater, sound theater, puppet theater, interactive theater, and material theater, representing a comprehensive view of global theatrical trends [3][4] Event Highlights - The opening performance will be the classic play "Don Juan" directed by David Bobée, featuring a giant sculpture installation on the beach stage [3] - The closing performance, "May B," created by French choreographer Maguy Marin, is inspired by the works of absurdist playwright Samuel Beckett and has been performed worldwide for over 40 years [6] - The festival aims to create a utopian theatrical experience, becoming a significant cultural event following the Wuzhen Theatre Festival [6] Community Engagement - The "37°2 Environmental Drama Reading" will allow audiences to engage with classic texts, blending drama creation, literary understanding, and environmental perception [4] - The "Migratory Birds 300" project will involve 300 creators collaborating for 300 hours, showcasing various art forms within architect Ma Yansong's sand city [4] - The festival is envisioned as a container for diverse cultural and artistic content, nurturing the community and addressing the cultural needs of individuals [6]