Interview with the president of National Theatre of China

As the Wuzhen Theatre Festival celebrates its 11th year, famous Chinese director Tian Qinxin has been there since the beginning. Our reporter Wang Siwen talks to Tian, who also serves as president of the National Theatre of China.

Reporter: You have been involved with the Wuzhen Theatre Festival from the beginning. How do you see the event's growth over the years?

Tian: Like all the artists and audience members who come to the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, I am grateful for participating in it for the past 11 years. This is a place where dreams rise, and people's pioneering efforts leave behind beautiful memories. I hope that more people who love art and travel from all over the country can come to Wuzhen. In such a festive atmosphere, you can watch and discuss plays, and enjoy a relaxing and good time.

Reporter: As the Wuzhen Theatre Festival steadily grows in popularity, how do you view China's overall theater industry?

Tian: I think there are more and more young people in China who love art, especially drama. Just like Wu Bi and Liu Xiaoyi, who participated in the show "Theater for Living," allowing a wider audience a glimpse of the theatrical life, which reflects how this industry is gradually prospering. So, in the current period of rapid development in China, how can art show its greatness? This morning I spoke to Tadashi Suzuki from Japan, who is a world-famous director. I said that his dramas had strong national characteristics and a Japanese aesthetic that has been creatively developed. The veteran director talked about China's rapid development, and how he looks forward to the expression of Chinese artists. I agreed. And as president of the China National Theatre, I hope to shape the aesthetics of Chinese drama through our efforts, so that it can be spread globally and bring Chinese drama to a wider audience. China is an ancient country with a splendid civilization. Whether it's the classics of literature, from pre-Qin Opera to the Baixi Opera of the Han Dynasty, the Canjun Opera of the Tang Dynasty, the Yuanben of the Song and Jin dynasties, the Zaju of the Yuan Dynasty, Kun Opera or Peking Opera – they are all outstanding. Including literature, such as the Four Great Classics, there are many classics for us to perform. We not only aim to let the world know about Chinese drama, but also as a country with long and splendid civilization, which must also be seen by the world. We let the world see the beauty and charm of the Chinese language, through the subtitles of our poetry and songs. I think this is the direction we should work towards.

Reporter: Compared with international arts festivals such as the Avignon Festival in France, the Edinburgh Festival in the UK, and the Berlin Festival, what’s unique about the Wuzhen Theatre Festival?

Tian: Through everyone's efforts, the Wuzhen Theatre Festival can let the world see China. It is a window to the world. When I participated in festivals like the Edinburgh Art Festival, they often mentioned the saying about how art can change life. I think it's very applicable to Wuzhen. Let art change life in a way that becomes the new norm and make China more beautiful.