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China joins hands with Arab States for theatrical arts exchange

Print Share Updated: 2018-08-06 12:08

The Second China-Arab States High Level Theatrical Forum was held at the Guangzhou Opera House in the capital city of South China’s Guangdong province on July 30.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the event was organized by the China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) to further promote cultural cooperation and deepen artistic and personnel exchanges and communication between China and Arab States.

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Attendees shared their ideas on project matchmaking, the role of the theater in promoting the development of culture and tourism and exchange visits of artists.

China's original opera production, Marco Polo, produced by the Guangzhou Opera House for the Silk Road International League of Theaters, will start its tour in Arab States and a classic opera selection of the Cairo Opera House will be staged in China.

The producers and performers of these two opera productions were invited to the forum to discuss details of project matchmaking and exchange visits.

China and members of the League of Arab States all have long histories and abundant cultural heritages. During this forum, they not only promoted their typical tourism and cultural resources and signed strategic cooperation agreements with international theaters from home and abroad, but also made plans to create plays in theaters at tourist destinations.

Another topic on the agenda was the preparatory work for the China-Arab Young Talent Training Workshop on Art Management. The workshop is intended to develop into a branded activity of the forum and a regular and long-term exchange platform for young talents from both sides.

The workshop will invite 20 young talents every year. Experts from China and Arab States will give lectures under the program.

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The China-Arab States High Level Theatrical Forum grew from an exchange visit to China by a group of Arabian theater heads under “Insight of China”, which is a cultural exchange program within the framework of the Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum.

The program was initiated in 2009 and has expanded its focus from painting and sculpture to music, dance and theatrical arts. It has greatly promoted the exchange and cooperation of artists and cultural institutions, and enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two sides.

An important activity of the Silk Road International League of Theaters, Insight of China is also part of the 8th Guangzhou Art Festival.

Guests attending the forum included officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Guangzhou Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publications Bureau, as well as heads and representatives of theaters from China, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan and Palestine.