20th Shanghai Int'l Arts Festival ends with closing ceremony

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Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and organized by Shanghai Municipal Government, the 20th China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) has been held from October 19 to November 22, lasting for 35 days.

The press conference of the closing ceremony was held at Shanghai Grand Theater on Thursday morning, and the month-long arts festival is about to draw to an end in Shanghai on Thursday night.

"Don Quixote," a classical ballet by the Cuban National Ballet, will be the closing performance of this year's CSIAF.

Established in 1948, the Cuban National Ballet is one of the most prestigious classical dance companies in the world and an important part of the international dance community.

A still photo of “Don Quixote,” the closing performance of 20th CSIAF in Shanghai, on November 22, 2018. /CGTN Photos

The brand new version of “Don Quixote,” adapted by ballet master Alicia Alonso, is believed to be the first professional version created by a dance troupe with Iberian cultural and linguistic origins.

Since its premiere, the work has been revised and refined, with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra providing live accompaniment to the closing dance drama.

The performance will be staged on November 22 and 23 in Shanghai.

Through various activities, the festival has demonstrated the successful practice and great achievements of the socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics since the 40 years of reform and opening up and made positive contributions to the promotion of the "Shanghai culture" and the building of an international cultural metropolis.

Meanwhile, during the festival, over 10,000 artists from 63 countries and regions gathered in Shanghai to hold 350 various activities, benefiting more than five million audience members.

The press conference of the closing performance of the 20th CSIAF. /CGTN Photo

A program named "Rising Artists' Works" (R.A.W.!) which aims to cultivate new talent, entered its seventh year with 147 projects, 34 master lectures, and events.

Also, a series of activities including Jiangsu culture week and parallel sessions in different cities were successfully held.

As a celebration of the 40 years of China's reform and opening up and the success of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), the CSIAF, adhering to the goal of "A Festival of Arts, a Gala for All," showcased abundant art activities under the cultural self-confidence of China.

Established in 1999, the annual CSIAF has grown into a significant platform for cultural exchange and one of the leading arts festivals in the world.

(Head image was designed by Li Jingjie.)