China's only seaside theater festival has been held in the resort town of Aranya in north China's Hebei Province. Artists from around the world traveled there to take deep dive into the world of dramatic performance. For theatergoers, there were interactive activities including cross-border installations such as seaside talks, environmental drama readings, screenings, theater houses, parades and bonfires by the sea.

"I think the Aranya Theater Festival is very unique, relatively free and lively, with a youthful vitality. The most important thing is that people can enjoy the poetic and picturesque atmosphere of the seaside, which makes them feel that life is wonderful," said the festival's artistic director Meng Jinghui.

The theme of this year's Aranya Theater Festival was "Howls and Whispers." More than 60 percent of the performances were staged outdoors against the backdrop of natural scenery – from the sea, sky and stars to forests and beaches – challenging norms and breaking the boundaries of traditional theater and stage performance.

Actor and director Xiao Han said: "I think Aranya is particularly new as we have participated in many theater festivals overseas. Domestic theater festivals such as the Wuzhen Theater Festival, Shenzhen Biennale, Hangzhou Theater Festival and the Beijing Theater Festival all take place inside theaters. But only Aranya can give us the feeling that it seems to be in the theater – but also not in the theater. It's a wonderful feeling which I think is quite interesting. And there is sunshine and the sea, which is unique," he added. "The good thing is that there are a lot of young audience members. Some of them had no idea that it was a theater festival at first, and they just happened to turn up here to have fun. Then, they suddenly realized that there is this festival. So they take part in it, and perhaps think that this festival can spice up their lives."

Cutting-edge theater from 12 countries over the course of 11 days, and all the performances are being shown to Chinese audiences for the very first time. The works are all by high-profile global artists, as well as domestic masters of the avant-garde, dance troupes, and the best in emerging talent. The festival is clearly committed to an ethos of international exchange. 

Pepa Sanz, director and choreographer of the theater production "Los Caminantes" said: "There are many young people here. It's really interesting to connect with people from the younger generations interested in culture. I enjoyed so much of the festival. I think it can enrich your artistic life when you have the chance to share with the people from other countries. It's been marvelous."

"We are from Budapest in Hungary. Actually, I used to live in China 20 years ago for two years, so for me it was very emotional return, because I love China, and I love Asia. I think everyone was very happy and honored to be invited, but for me it was an added plus," said Kriszta Szekely, director of the theater production "Hedda Gabler." "I found that it's a really good idea, this mixing of art and the beach. And I really love this about the festival – it's packed with young people who are curious and passionate about art or being here. I think it's one of the important things to have new generations valuing art and an understanding that culture makes us human."

In addition to the many theater performances, the most unique feature of the festival was "Migratory Birds 300" – an event where 300 artists from different backgrounds brought their original works to the seafront where they set up camp and created 300 hours of art together.

Embracing the summer sea breeze, the Aranya Beach is opening up new space for artists to share their work, filling expectations and satisfying the imagination of every visitor.