Group 1 - The 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival will take place from October 17 to November 27, featuring over 500 events and more than 1,200 performances and exhibitions, with a focus on "art + " integration to attract artists and audiences globally [1] - Approximately 60% of the main performances are international projects, with over 90% being premieres in Shanghai, including significant productions like the Kunqu opera "Taihe Zhengyin" and a concert by Daniel Harding and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra [1][2] - The festival aims to resonate with contemporary themes, showcasing works that commemorate historical events, such as the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War, and features local productions that tell relatable Chinese stories [2] Group 2 - The festival promotes a "ticket economy" by collaborating with leading internet platforms to offer combined services for performances and tourism, enhancing the overall visitor experience [2] - It connects with other major events like the Import Expo and Shanghai Tourism Festival, using joint ticketing strategies to attract both domestic and international audiences [2] - The festival will also host 60 performances and over 90 events in public spaces, featuring nearly 2,000 artists from more than 30 countries and regions [3] Group 3 - The festival will establish sub-venues in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, and will host a cultural week for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, emphasizing the festival's regional influence [4] - The festival's president highlights the importance of both high-quality established works and innovative new productions, aiming for genuine audience appreciation [4]

Core Points - The 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival is set to host over 500 performances and exhibitions, totaling more than 1,200 events from October 17 to November 27, with nearly 60% of the main performances being international projects and almost 90% being premieres in Shanghai [1] - The festival features eight major segments aimed at building a world-class arts platform and enhancing Shanghai's status as a leading cultural hub in Asia [1] - A diverse group of renowned artists from both domestic and international backgrounds have been invited as "Art Recommendation Officers" to promote key performances across various art forms [2] Group 1 - The opening performance will be a collaboration between the Shanghai Kunqu Opera and the Palace Museum, showcasing the Kunqu opera "Taihe Zhengyin," while the closing performance will feature conductor Daniel Harding and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra [3] - The festival will highlight unique performances, including a complete rendition of Mahler's symphonies by Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra, and a "wordless" version of Wagner's "Ring Cycle" [4] - The festival emphasizes its role as a platform for artistic collaboration, with the Asian premiere of Pina Bausch's 1978 work "The Rite of Spring" being a significant highlight [4] Group 2 - The "Youth Empowerment Plan" will introduce new artistic talents, featuring works from 21 artists across seven countries, with a focus on innovative and interdisciplinary projects [5] - The festival will celebrate traditional Chinese culture through original stage productions, including a new adaptation of Sartre's "No Exit" and a music concert titled "Poetic China" by the Shanghai National Orchestra [5] - Shanghai's local productions will include adaptations of classic literature, such as the stage play "Blossoms" and the narrative ballet "Lily Flower," showcasing unique Shanghai storytelling [6] Group 3 - The festival will extend its reach by establishing sub-venues in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, promoting cultural exchange through various performances and activities [7] - The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Cultural Week will feature a series of performances and exhibitions aimed at deepening cultural cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macau [7]

Core Viewpoint - The ballet "Lily" adapted from the novel by Zhu Zhiquan premiered in Shanghai, showcasing a touching story set during the Liberation War, emphasizing the emotional depth of ordinary characters and the collaboration between the creative team [1][3]. Group 1: Adaptation Process - The adaptation of "Lily" into a ballet was initiated by Xin Lili, who approached Wang Anyi, the daughter of the original author, to adapt the short story into a ballet script, which Wang completed in just one month [1][2]. - The challenge in adapting the story was the lack of dramatic conflict, requiring the creative team to find ways to express the emotional essence through dance [2][3]. - The iconic scene of "borrowing a quilt" was particularly challenging to portray on stage, taking eight months of rehearsal to develop a lively and engaging representation [2][3]. Group 2: Character and Theme - The ballet focuses on ordinary characters, highlighting themes of youth and emotional connections, with the average age of the performers being under 24 [3][5]. - The story is positioned as both a red-themed narrative and a youth drama, resonating with the timeless appeal of youthful experiences [3][5]. - Wang Anyi expressed satisfaction with the portrayal of the three main characters, feeling that the ballet's style matched the purity and simplicity of her mother's original story [5][6]. Group 3: Collaboration and Creative Freedom - The collaboration between Wang Anyi and Xin Lili was marked by mutual trust and openness, allowing for creative freedom in the adaptation process [6][7]. - Xin Lili emphasized the importance of allowing the choreographer to explore and innovate within the ballet, leading to the inclusion of romantic elements in the choreography [6][7]. - The creative team aimed to convey the simple yet profound emotions of ordinary people from that era, ensuring that the audience connects with the characters and their experiences [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - The summer of 2025 saw a vibrant performance market across China, particularly with red-themed productions that combine historical events and diverse artistic expressions to attract audiences into theaters [1]. Group 1: Performance Highlights - The Shanghai Ballet's original ballet "Lily" was performed at the National Grand Theatre, showcasing a talented domestic creative team and emphasizing the human spirit during wartime [3]. - The musical "Finding Li Ergou," based on the Korean War, began a national tour in cities like Nanjing and Wuhan, focusing on contemporary youth and their emotional connections to historical narratives [7]. - The "Melody in My Heart" concert by the China Symphony Orchestra Choir presented a musical journey through the history of the Communist Party, featuring both classic and newly adapted songs [8]. Group 2: Audience Engagement - There is a growing trend among young audiences favoring historical-themed works that incorporate Eastern aesthetics, as seen in various performances across major cities [10]. - The original musical "Flying to the Sky," inspired by Dunhuang murals, aims to present a new chapter of Chinese culture along the Belt and Road, appealing to audiences with its traditional Eastern aesthetics [13]. - The national tour of the play "Lychee of Chang'an" emphasizes a fast-paced narrative centered around the transportation of lychees, engaging audiences with its dynamic storytelling [19]. Group 3: Artistic Innovation - The dance drama "Child's Pillow: Family Harmony" draws inspiration from a national treasure, showcasing the daily lives of Song Dynasty citizens and emphasizing the beauty of real-life aesthetics [17]. - The play "Lychee of Chang'an" utilizes modern LED elements alongside traditional Chinese architectural features, blending Eastern traditional aesthetics with modern theatrical flexibility [21].

Core Viewpoint - The summer of this year has seen a vibrant array of performances across the country, particularly in the red-themed performance market, which has attracted audiences through a combination of historical events and diverse artistic expressions [1] Group 1: Performance Highlights - The Shanghai Ballet's original ballet "Lily" premiered at the National Grand Theatre, showcasing a talented domestic creative team and emphasizing the human spirit during wartime [2] - The musical "Finding Li Ergou," based on the Korean War, began its national tour in cities like Nanjing and Wuhan, focusing on contemporary youth and their emotional connections to historical events [8] - The "Melody in My Heart" concert, part of the 2025 National Art Troupe's performance season, featured classic red songs and innovative adaptations, narrating the century-long journey of the Communist Party of China [9][10] Group 2: Artistic Elements - "Lily" retains the original novel's literary charm while incorporating symphonic music and ethnic elements, creating a rich visual and auditory experience that highlights the value of peace [4] - The concert broke traditional choral boundaries by integrating storytelling and performance, enhancing the overall viewing experience [12] - The original musical "Flying to the Sky" draws inspiration from Dunhuang murals, presenting a narrative that intertwines cultural heritage with modern themes [17] Group 3: Audience Engagement - The summer performances have sparked a cross-city viewing trend among young audiences, particularly those interested in works that blend Eastern aesthetics with historical themes [16] - The national tour of the play "Lychee of Chang'an" emphasizes a fast-paced narrative and modern stage design, appealing to contemporary viewers while retaining traditional aesthetics [21]