The selected projects of the 2023 Shanghai "Chinese Culture Going Global" Special-Purpose Financial Support Program have recently been announced. After careful evaluation by experts, 46 projects stood out and were selected for the 2023 Shanghai "Chinese Culture Going Global" Special-Purpose Financial Support Program.
The Shanghai Theatre Academy's application for the traditional Chinese drama "The Legend of White Snake" to perform at the Avignon Theatre Festival in France was among the successful candidates of the 2023 Shanghai "Chinese Culture Going Global" Special-Purpose Financial Support Program.
This particular version of "The Legend of White Snake" has its roots in a course on operatic physique training offered years ago by Teacher Xiao Ying from the Department of Acting. Through classroom assignments, the instructor and the students gradually cultivated a complete performance centered around physical expression, which has previously been staged in countries such as Serbia, thereby gaining considerable experience in international cultural exchange.
The play's uniqueness lies in its fusion of China's evocative drama with modern dance, creating an innovative mode of storytelling. This integration not only enhances the visual attraction of the drama but also deepens and diversifies the emotional expressions within the story.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. France, the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with the People's Republic of China, has always engaged in extensive cultural exchanges with China. To coincide with this 60th anniversary, the China-France Culture and Tourism Year has been inaugurated and will include hundreds of cultural activities related to performing arts, visual arts, cultural heritage, and tourism promotion throughout 2024.
In view of the favorable opportunities for China-France cultural exchange this year, the Shanghai Theatre Academy is also actively planning related projects. Last year, the academy reached an agreement with France's Chêne Noir Theatre to jointly produce the STA version of "The Legend of White Snake" for participation in the world-famous Avignon Theatre Festival in 2024.
According to Xiao Ying, the joint production of "The Legend of White Snake" with the French party will be more refined and mature, incorporating more technological elements to better convey the charm of Chinese culture on international stages.
